When ex-Red Bull Luke Sassano decided to move from the playing field to the front office – ok, when his damaged knees made the decision for him – he called New York Cosmos COO Erik Stover. And four months later, Sassano has made his return to New York as the rebranded club’s assistant technical director.
Sassano played for the Red Bulls from 2008-10, and was on the books at Sporting KC for the next two MLS seasons. But after a pair of knee surgeries last season brought his total to four – Sassano is just 27, but quips his body feels like 50 – he’s turned page on his career and moved into management.
“I was on loan from Sporting KC to Carolina (Railhawks of NASL). Last year I had two knee surgeries, in addition to the two I already had, and an ankle surgery, I came to the realization (I had to move on),’’ Sassano told the Post. “You start to see the aligning of the stars. I had other interests I wanted to get involved with, and this seemed like the perfect venture, especially early in the onset.’’
Early would be as in the team’s formative stages, with the Cosmos re-entering NASL this fall and season tickets on sale now at nycosmos.com/tickets. With Sassano sensing an opportunity to get in on the ground floor, and work for a former boss – Stover was the Red Bulls’ managing director when Sassano played defensive midfield for the club – he jumped at the chance.
He’ll also work under Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese, who scored 41 league goals for the MetroStars from 1996-98, and had returned with the Red Bulls as head of youth development in 2005. Savarese held that same position when Sassano arrived in 2008, the rookie midfielder even starting the MLS Cup final.
“I reached out to the Cosmos is January, to Erik. Once I saw how ambitious the club is, the storied club, they’re making a real run at this thing, (I knew it wanted it). Luckily Gio saw something in me, how enthusiastic I was,’’ Sassano said. “I’ll be working with Gio, evaluating talent. Ultimately Gio has the final say on things; I’m just here to be another piece to the puzzle for the New York Cosmos.
“I really wanted to stay in soccer. I was very fortunate to be able play five years in MLS, and I definitely wanted to stay involved. If I can get involved behind-the-scenes, whether it’s scouting players or helping write contracts, it’s an ideal position. Learning from guys like Gio, Carlos Llamosa, as well as Erik, I couldn’t have been in a better situation, to be honest with you.’’
In addition to scouting both domestic and international talent, Stover said Sassano will also negotiate contracts and be responsible for managing the roster’s salary budget. Sassano’s first on-field task will be the Cosmos open tryouts this weekend, at Flushing Meadows on Saturday and Macombs Dam Park on Sunday.
“It’s not just what his job is but what we feel he can grow into. That’s why we chose Luke,” said Stover. “It’s not just scouting players, but he’ll also budget the roster. That’s something that we don’t want Gio to be bogged down with, so Luke will handle the salaries, and he’ll also be writing player contracts.”