Dec. 04--Veljko Paunovic speaks six languages but English was all he needed for a direct message at his introductory news conference as he seeks to revive the Fire.
"Success is when you give all the best you have in every moment of your life," said Paunovic, introduced as the team's eighth coach Thursday. "We want to deliver a winning team that always gives the best on and off the field and never gives up."
A 38-year-old native of Serbia, Paunovic deferred talk of rosters and tactics for another day. He instead focused on philosophy and called on Fire fans for support.
"I know you've been through a very difficult time," he said. "... Let's create together a winning environment where the players will feel passionate to give their best."
Paunovic most recently led Serbia to a FIFA Under-20 World Cup title and has previous global experience through 16 seasons as a player, including one with the Philadelphia Union.
"A new coach often symbolizes hope, hope that something in the future will be better," said new Fire general manager Nelson Rodriguez. "I have incredible belief that we are already better today and we will continue to be significantly better in the future."
At this point, there's nowhere to go but up.
The Fire struggled through a second straight losing season, going 8-20-6 for just 30 points last season.
It was the league's worst record and poorest in the team's 18 MLS seasons. The Fire also missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years.
Coach Frank Yallop was dismissed before season's end and Rodriguez cleaned house in both the on-field and off-field support areas last month.
The Fire also announced a series of veterans would not be offered contracts, leaving a mainly young crop of players to start Paunovic's tenure.
Technical director Brian Bliss, who served as interim coach for the final 2014 games, remains with the Fire in a player personnel role.
Jack McCarthy is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
