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SANDY — Craig Waibel isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
The former Real Salt Lake assistant coach who rose through the club’s ranks to technical director, and then general manager for the past three seasons, was rewarded with a new multi-year contract, the organization announced Friday morning.
The negotiations went down to the final moments, with Waibel’s contract set to expire at the end of the year. The general manager often worked through the 2018 season with little or no direct conversations about his future.
But in the end, the club’s progress under the former Houston Dynamo defensive standout was enough to secure him a new deal.
“In speaking with Craig about the future of the club, we are collectively very optimistic and excited about the direction of RSL,” owner Dell Loy Hansen said in a statement. “We share the same commitment to creating the best academy and player development system in MLS, and Craig has been successful in advancing that vision while signing key international players that create a playoff side.
“We are excited about the future of Real Salt Lake.”
Under Waibel, Real Salt Lake has increased its win total each season since his appointment as GM in 2015. The technical wizard has been the catalyst to signing key international players, such as midfielder Albert Rusnak, do-it-all revelation Damir Kreilach and striker Jefferson Savarino, while also retaining key veterans such as Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando.
Plus, Waibel helped bring in current head coach Mike Petke.
The club has signed 10 homegrown players over the last four years of Waibel’s tenure, most recently adding Cache Valley teen Julian Vazquez to a first-team deal.
He's also made some mistakes, and Waibel will be among the first to admit to it. RSL signed Spanish striker Alfredo Ortuno to a million-dollar deal, but cut ties after he failed to make any impact on the field.
Hansen also understands that, Waibel said.
"We have to take some risks," the GM said during a conference call with local media. "We have to be willing to go to countries like Venezuela and bring in 19 year olds … and also to keep our chin up and take those punches to the nose when they come. It’s part of the job — and it’s part of what makes it feel so good when you get it right."
Finding a center forward like RSL thought it had with Ortuno will be among Waibel's chief searches this offseason. The club has already begun reaching out to several prospects, according to multiple reports, but no new signing has been made.
"We’re just like 90 percent of the rest of the world. We’re looking for that pure striker that can come in, and candidly and simply score goals," Waibel said. "The really wealthy teams can go out and buy guys that are doing it at a high level, but we’re a team that needs to find the right fit.
"We can’t go crazy as an organization, and lose sight of who we are."
Waibel also confirmed during the call that the club has begun discussions to bring back midfielder Luke Mulholland. The England native was once a staple with the organization, but missed most of the 2018 season following back surgery. RSL did not pick up Mulholland's option following the year, but he was not selected via Major League Soccer's offseason acquisition mechanisms like the annual waiver draft.
Waibel has also helped launch two other clubs within the Real Salt Lake organization, serving as a GM partner in launching Utah Royals FC in the National Women’s Soccer League alongside managing director Stephanie Lee.
That’s come with its own challenges, like moving a roster inherited from the now-defunct FC Kansas City to Utah, adding Laura Harvey as head coach, and recruiting key targets like U.S. international standout Christen Press and center back Sam Johnson from Chicago.
And yes, he’s also been involved with Real Monarchs, the club’s second-division side that is run directly by general manager Dan Egner, but with plenty of input from the RSL GM.
But Waibel still has work to do — and with his new contract, he’ll get a chance to accomplish it. He wants to lead Real Salt Lake to a championship, something he did six times in a 12-year playing career with LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston.
His four MLS Cup titles is the fourth-most by one player in league history, tied with Landon Donovan, Jeff Agoos, Todd Dunivant and Brian Mullan.
"We've brought in a bevy of players over the last four years, and we had a few misses. But we limited the misses, and we have to get it right," Waibel said. “This organization is full of great people … and we continue to express our vision of bringing players in.
“I’m very happy to stay, and I’m extremely pleased. I understand it’s a compliment for the work I’ve done, and the vision that we share."
