Ian Russell is keen to lead the Quakes as interim coach

STANFORD – In his first appearance with the media since being named interim coach of the San Jose Earthquakes, Ian Russell made clear he doesn't hesitate to take on the challenge of turning the team's season around.

Russell said, “I like to take pressure, and I succeed in doing so. I believe in myself. I will only take advantage of these matches and train the team as best as I can with our technical staff and try to get good results.”

Not only is the 48-year-old coaching to lift the morale of the last-place finisher, but he will also be evaluated to be San Jose's permanent coach once this season is over.

The Quakes fired coach Lucie Gonzalez on Monday midway through his second year after the team suffered its 14th loss of the season over the weekend with a 6-2 win at the hands of LAFC.

Russell has been promoted to lead San Jose and will look to begin his second stint as interim coach of the Quakes with a win in Saturday's California Clásico over the Los Angeles Galaxy at Stanford Stadium.

“I think every interim job is a test of some sort,” Quakes general manager Chris Leach said Monday. “I think Ian will seize the opportunity and take advantage of it. And he has to do that. The team is looking for a change of pace and a change of voice.”

San Jose Earthquakes interim coach Ian Russell walks off the field after practice at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

The Quakes are currently the worst team in MLS with a 3-14-2 record. They are winless in their last eight matches and have conceded 27 goals in that period.

While the players were understanding the midseason coaching changes, Gonzalez was a beloved figure in the locker room and it was difficult for them to let go.

Under Gonzalez, the Quakes reached the playoffs last season and played a big role in bringing Argentine midfielder Hernan Lopez to the team in April.

“It is a results-based decision, and we hope that the results will turn out to change from now on,” Lopez said through a translator. “It's hard on a personal level, but you understand it at the same time.”

Russell spent the bulk of his playing career as a member of the Earthquakes in the mid-2000s. He was assistant coach from 2008 to 2016 and was the head coach of now-defunct Reno 1868 of the United Football League Championship.

Russell is known as the interim coach, as he held the title 10 years ago.

In 2014, he was promoted to interim position for the final two games of the season after the Quakes fired then-head coach Mark Watson. San Jose was already eyeing a new coach as it hired Dominic Kinnear shortly after that season ended.

But unlike 10 years ago, there is no succession plan yet. Russell will have a legitimate shot at becoming the team's coach after the season, and he believes he has improved since that time a decade ago.

“The difference between 2014 and now is that I knew Dominic Kinnear was coming, so I was just waiting for the season to finish,” Russell said. “I think I've grown a lot since then.”

The timing of Gonzalez's dismissal did not favor Russell in terms of making sweeping changes to the team's culture. But he said he hopes to build on the foundation that Gonzalez and the rest of the coaching staff have laid over the past two seasons.

“I was here with Lucci last year, so we're continuing the culture here,” Russell said. He added: “Every coach is different, but I know that we will have a lot of energy and a lot of aggression and we will play hard.”

Star winger Christian Espinosa said the things that need to change on the pitch have more to do with the team's approach in each match.

“We need to change mentally, it's all about our mindset at the moment,” he said. “In this difficult moment, the only way to change the situation is to be together more than ever and work hard.”

San Jose Earthquakes' Christian Espinoza (10) smiles during practice at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose has fallen out of the top 10 defensively in 2023, giving up a league-worst 51 goals through 19 games this season. The Quakes have lost 10 games in which they had a lead.

In Saturday's loss to Los Angeles, San Jose gave up four goals in the first 42 minutes. Russell said he wants to see more strikers and midfielders on defence.

“When you first look at it, the back four and the goalkeeper are the first to blame, but that’s not the whole story,” Russell said. “It starts with the forwards and it starts with the midfielders. It’s the back four who have to be the ones who pick up the pieces at the end. So we’ve got to change all that.”

Saturday's game against the Galaxy could be crucial in changing locker room morale and giving fans something to cheer about, especially against a rivalry.

Los Angeles has been one of the best teams in the league this season. The Galaxy currently sits in third place in the Western Conference and has won five of its last six games.

A win might not do much for the Quakes in the standings, but it could get Russell's tenure as head coach started on the right track.

“We want to win, not only for Ian, but for us and the fans,” Espinosa said. “Hopefully this weekend we can start winning in terms of results.”

San Jose Earthquakes interim coach Ian Russell walks off the field after practice at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif., on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

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