Signs point to Fire’s Nelson Rodriguez, Veljko Paunovic staying but with new structure

The changes to the Fire franchise are coming fast. The Soldier Field move is final, a brand refresh is on the way and the roster could see significant turnover.

But despite general manager Nelson Rodriguez’s admission Monday that “something in our environment just isn’t right,” he and coach Veljko Paunovic appear to be sticking around to shepherd the Fire through an extremely important offseason and into the 2020 season.

“I understand that there would be skepticism or perhaps even some distrust,” Rodriguez said. “You are what your record says you are.”

Some help might be on the horizon.

Rodriguez said during his end-of-season media availability that the Fire are looking for an executive to handle the first team. Whether that person is called a technical director, sporting director, general manager or whatever else, the addition would perhaps take some soccer tasks off Rodriguez’s plate.

That hire isn’t imminent, and Rodriguez said he’d have a discussion this week with Paunovic and the coaching staff about what must change, though he didn’t divulge details.

“One thing is clear: We cannot continue doing the same things in the same way and expect a different result,” Rodriguez said.

Through four years, Rodriguez and Paunovic have combined for one playoff berth. Memories of their successful 2017 season are diminishing, and their hits have been cancelled out by their misses.

Yet last week, owner Joe Mansueto indicated Rodriguez and Paunovic will be back — but he did leave himself an opening.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know both Nelson and Pauno over the last year and a half,” Mansueto said last week. “I think very highly of both of them. They too are frustrated that we didn’t make the playoffs and haven’t for a while. I like both people. I think they’re tremendous assets to the club. I’d like to see both of them stay for next year, but that said, we’ll take stock in the offseason and make sure that we’re filling every slot with a world-caliber person.”

During Monday’s media event, Rodriguez again talked about underlying metrics that said the 2019 team should have been better. Those stats didn’t translate to victories, and the Fire missed the playoffs and lack any results-based momentum as they go back to Soldier Field.

Paunovic, who’s under contract for next season, is eager for another chance.

“I just want to say I would love to come back and I would love to take [it] from here because I feel this is a new beginning,” Paunovic said last week.

Fire fans might not share that sentiment about him or Rodriguez.

“To the fans, all I can promise is to do my absolute best, and for you to know that I bleed as you bleed,” Rodriguez said. “You deserve more, and we’re going to keep working to deliver it.”

NOTES: Rodriguez said Soldier Field usually will have a capacity of 28,000 for Fire games, keeping the 100 and 200 levels open.

• Contract options were exercised for Micheal Azira, Jeremiah Gutjahr and Fabian Herbers.