The Mane Land has learned from sources with knowledge of the situation that former FC Dallas and current Club Tijuana manager Óscar Pareja has emerged as the leading candidate for Orlando City’s vacant head coaching position and is the club’s top target.
The 51-year-old Colombian has worked previously with OCSC Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi and forward Tesho Akindele in Dallas and was widely considered to be among Orlando’s top targets after the firing of former coach James O’Connor on Oct. 7.
Pareja is still under contract with Los Xolos of Liga MX, so an agreement would need to be reached with that club unless it parts ways with the coach — and the Xolos have gone through nine managers in seven years.