Carolina Morace is a great coach, but not an irreplaceable one.
That is the message of multiple sources familiar with the CSA and its dealings with the women’s program. Those same sources are suggesting that the coach’s demands to the CSA were unreasonable and, if accepted, would have given Morace more power than any coach has ever had in Canada. Actually, she would have more control than most national team coaches – men or women – have anywhere in the world.
Currently, Morace must keep a manager on her staff that represents the CSA’s interests. Up to now, the only restriction that manager has placed on Morace is that she keep spending within the budget that has been set. Morace has balked at even that, demanding that she be provided with total control.
“She doesn’t want to report to anyone,” a CSA official said.
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The CSA took a mostly hands off approach to the women’s program under Even Pellerud. With no controls on his spending he consistently was $300-$500,000 over budget.
And it’s not a small budget. Canada is likely the only country in the world that is currently spending more on its women’s program than it is on the men’s. CSN was told that the women receive about $500,000 more than the men, despite generating next to no sponsorship money. The entire men’s budget is funded from ticket sales, appearance fees and sponsorship deals. The women are funded directly from the CSA membership as well as the Canadian Olympic program/Own the Podium. About $1.5 million comes from Olympic sources.
Off record, a CSA official confirmed that the women’s budget was between $2.5 million and $3.5 million. That amount is more than enough to properly compete, insiders say.
“What are they going to do with $10 million,” a source asks. “They are already going to Brazil, China, Cyprus and are spending 12-weeks in Italy.
“The women’s support staff is much larger than any other CSA team – Morace still travels with two translators. She’s been here for two years. Why does she still need two translators? -- I’m not sure what they want if they think that’s too little.”
It’s estimated that no more than five countries in the world have a larger budget for women’s football.
One area of concern with the women was the money received by the team for winning the CONCACAF championship. Previously, CSN has been told that cash was “prize money.” However, CSA officials deny that. Rather, the $300,000 is money FIFA provides to teams that have qualified to the Worlds Cup and is to be used to prepare for the tournament. Despite that the CSA did distribute about $100,000 back to the players, one source claims.
Additionally, the CSA has been willing to overlook a great deal of other things with Morace. When she was hired it was expected that she spend a significant amount of time in Canada working with young players and coaches to help build for the future. That hasn’t happened.
“She’s never here,” a Canadian soccer insider said. “An apartment in Mississauga was arranged for her when she took the job. I don’t think she’s ever been in it.”
Morace insisted that she be granted total control over her staff and it was granted. There is only one Canadian on the staff – Andrea Neil – and she has been given no real responsibility.
“(Morace) was supposed to work with (Neil) and help develop her,” the source said. “She’s done nothing for her. She’s a token so if someone points to her and says ‘where’s the Canadian’ she can point to Andrea.”
The consensus in the CSA is that Morace has found another job opportunity and is aware that her demands are unreasonable.
“They are going to try and fix this,” a source said. “They are going to go to her and see if she will be reasonable. But they are prepared to let her walk if she won’t back down.”