CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Chicago Fire FC is dealing with yet another coaching change—hoping that a soccer-lifer with ties to the area can spark a turnaround with the flickering franchise.

The Niles product, who drew interest from clubs in top European leagues, has immense potential, and the Fire have a plan for him to succeed.

The former U.S. men’s soccer team manager is now in charge of the Chicago Fire. One of his first moves was signing former Union centerback Jack Elliott.

In that ’09 campaign, the Fire recorded a league-best 6-3-6 away record. Since then, they have gone 41-143-63 on the highway, a brutal .294 winning percentage.

Jonathan Bamba, a member of Ivory Coast’s team that won last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, will be a designated player for the Chicago Fire.

The Al Hilal forward is in talks with the Chicago Fire over a blockbuster transfer, according to a report from Foot Mercato. The move would be a stunner on multiple levels, not least of which is the 32-year-old has been widely speculated to be interested in joining Inter Miami.

Bamba joins an attack that already features interesting names like Hugo Cuypers, Philip Zinckernagel, and Brian Gutiérrez. This quartet forms a mix of youth, talent, and experience that should give Chicago Fire offensive depth, something the team has lacked during the last seasons.

Chicago Fire FC is engaged in “preliminary negotiations” with Brazil soccer legend Neymar, according to multiple reports.

The Chicago Fire will sign Ivory Coast international winger Jonathan Bamba from Celta Vigo, sources tell GIVEMESPORT.

The Chicago Fire acquired winger Jonathan Bamba on Tuesday and signed him to a contract that runs through the 2027 season.

The Chicago Fire have held discussions to sign Brazilian star Neymar, according to multiple sources who have been briefed on the talks, but a deal to bring the former Barcelona and PSG forward to the United States remains unlikely.

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