Memphis 901 FC officially introduced new Head Coach Stephen Glass to the city of Memphis this week. Along with a meet and greet with supporters at Celtic Crossing Irish Pub during the USMNT victory over Iran in the World Cup on Tuesday and a Q&A with supporters at The Brass Door on Wednesday night, Glass met with media to discuss expectations and goals for the 2023 season and more. Below is a transcript of the press conference.
Principal Owner Peter Freund
Opening Statements:
“We started this club back in 2019. This is the trajectory we wanted to take. The success on the pitch has been tremendous. The excitement around the new stadium is really the dream here. To take the club to the next level, we did an international search for a top head coach, a head coach that not only played in the Premier League, but coached here in the United States at Atlanta United and over in the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen.
It was clear to us from the beginning that this was our first choice. He wanted to be in Memphis and we wanted him in Memphis. Memphis has always been an international destination, but for sure it is an international soccer destination. To take us to the next level, we introduce you to the next head coach of Memphis 901 FC, Stephen Glass.”
Head Coach Stephen Glass
Opening Statements:
“I just want to say I’m thankful to the ownership of Memphis 901 FC for selecting me as next head coach for the club. I’m looking forward to building on the success the club has had. I look forward to seeing everyone here.”
On the city of Memphis:
“It’s a new city for me to come and live in. I’ve lived in North Carolina, Georgia and I’m looking forward to be a part of Tennessee and Memphis specifically. I was at Celtic Crossing yesterday to watch the World Cup game and we got a really good reception. Everyone has been very friendly. I came here with Atlanta United and hugely enjoyed the atmosphere. It’s a great place to be and I’m looking forward to it.”
On how having coached players on the club before factored into the decision to come to Memphis:
“It’s not the end all, be all when you get the next opportunity, but certainly it’s great to know you have a good group of the players as a core group that played a lot last year and were really successful. It can help with familiarity. They can probably tell the other players the good and bad about myself coming in and what to expect. There’s a comfort level that will help me settle in and some of the players as well. It’s not completely new to everyone.”
On coming into a club that was successful last season:
“I’m trying to build on what happened last year. I think the club is set up for success. These guys do a great job putting the club together with bigger plans and that’s why most of them have come back. It’s just a case of building on that as well as we can.”
On what attracted him to Memphis 901 FC:
“I think some of what attracted me was the group of players that were here already and the vision that the club ownership had for the future. I think it’s pretty clear when you see the new stadium renderings that there’s a big ambition to be bigger than we are at the moment. There’s a group of players that achieved some form of success last year and I’m sure they’re ready to build on that. When you walk in on a team like that, it’s fantastic.”
On future talent acquisition to build the club:
“I think it’s clear to me that I will have the final say if a player will come here or not. It’s not a situation where players get forced on managers. That’s important when you walk into a job. You’ll certainly see a slightly different group than you saw last year, with some great familiar faces and I think that’s exciting.
On how he’ll put his stamp on Memphis 901 FC:
“I think everything I’ve learned in my career playing under some of the best managers in the world, taken something from them all. You try to learn off of everyone and give advice to the players you’re lucky enough to coach. I think that’s the challenge. It’s certainly a challenge for the players that have maybe never been in this situation before. We’re not going to stop at what was last year. I’m sure they’re ready for it and hungry for it.”
For more information on Memphis 901 FC, visit https://www.memphis901fc.com and follow the club on social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
