Pareja targets success at Dallas

Oscar Pareja has set his sights on building “something really special” following his return to Dallas as head coach.

Former Colombia international Pareja spent seven years with Dallas as a player, before going on to serve as assistant coach and director of player development for the Major League Soccer franchise’s youth system.

000007A0
After two years as head coach of the Colarado Rapids, the 45-year-old, who has also fulfilled a coaching role with the United States Under-17 team, is now back in Texas as the successor to Schellas Hyndman.

“While I am forever grateful to the Colarado Rapids for giving me my first head coaching job in MLS, my family and I have decided to take this opportunity to get back home to Texas,” Pareja told Dallas’ official website.

“I believe we can build something really special in Dallas, and I am thankful for the opportunity, and thankful to the organization, its fans and ownership for believing in me.”

Dallas chairman Clark Hunt is delighted to have Pareja on board.

“We are thrilled to welcome Oscar back to FC Dallas as head coach,” added Hunt.

“In addition to his stellar career as a player in our league, Oscar has an outstanding track record of success as a coach at every level of MLS.

“After an extensive search process, we concluded that Oscar’s experience, teaching ability, personal integrity and passion for our club make him the ideal choice to lead FC Dallas in 2014 and beyond.”

Dallas finished eighth in the Western Conference of MLS last season, missing out on a place in the play-offs.