Zodiac Names General Manager Minaya as Co-Coach

The Zodiac has named Ricardo Minaya co-coach, said club president Richard Brown. Minaya, the team’s general manager for the last two seasons, also will be the Zodiac’s director of soccer operations. Before working for the Zodiac, Minaya spent three years as the Salsa’s director of youth development.

“My passion is the game on the field,” Minaya said. “Last year, I did the general manager job to help keep the club afloat. But this year, the front office is in much better shape and I feel better about the direction of the team. I’m very excited and thankful to the owners for having the trust in me.”

Minaya, 42, said he will share the coaching duties with a player coach. The Zodiac is expected to announce the other co-coach within two months. Minaya replaces Mike Gartlan, who coached the Zodiac to an A-League playoff berth last season.

“I don’t anticipate a big change in philosophy,” Minaya said. “We had a solid year, so I think our base will be about the same. I’d like to win about seven more games next year and get a division title.”