Ernst Tanner Revamped the Philadelphia Union Roster Just As He Said He Would

If anything, the Philadelphia Union sporting director has stuck true to his word about offseason acquisitions.

The Philadelphia Union is now officially Ernst Tanner’s club.

Tanner’s decision to let go of former head coach Jim Curtin jolted the Union into that direction during the offseason.

While not all of the offseason moves were met with satisfaction, Tanner is revamping the roster exactly how he said he would ahead of the start of the 2025 Major League Soccer season on Saturday.

The Union got younger and “more dynamic” (a word you’ve already heard 10,000 times this preseason) and brought in the “Yes Man” of a head coach in Bradley Carnell.

I’m sure Carnell is a fine coach and has the potential to return the Union to playoff contention (not a big task in MLS, but still the baseline for success), but it’s very clear Tanner is running the offseason business.

Center back Ian Glavinovich was signed before Carnell inked a contract, midfielder Jovan Lukic fits the mold of a Tanner central mid and incoming forward Bruno Damiani has had Tanner’s attention for quite some time.

Jack Elliott left as a free agent, Jack McGlynn was traded for $2 million+ in cash and Tanner brought in younger, cheaper replacements.

Frankly, I’m somewhat stunned Tanner didn’t try to move off Jakob Glesnes’ contract and force Alejandro Bedoya into his front office role on a permanent basis given how the offseason window went.

The unfortunate truth for Tanner is that he probably couldn’t move Glesnes’ contract within the league because the Norwegian had a down year. Elliott had to be the one to make way because there’s no way Tanner would approve of paying three veteran defenders around $1 million.

Remember how poorly the Kai Wagner negotiations played out in public, and that was because Tanner had a hard number he wanted to stop at in negotiations because of that belief plus the financial constrictions in place under owner Jay Sugarman.

Speaking of the financials, it was a bit stunning to see the Union would be willing to splash out their record transfer fee to land Damiani. The move is not official yet, but I would expect something this week while the team is back training in Chester.

Tanner said he would make an addition at each field position during his post-season press conference. Glavinovich, Lukic and Damiani are here.

If anything, Tanner followed up on his word in revamping the roster.

That’s great and all, but if the Union aren’t successful in a season in which they are playing their least amount of games since the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Tanner has to face the music.

Tanner’s come under some scrutiny for his failed moves in previous windows, and with that, has come a lack of depth.

But now there’s no head coach to use as the scapegoat because he doesn’t develop, or give those players a chance.

Tanner has his guy installed as head coach and more of his hand-picked players on the roster.

The 2025 Union season, whether it comes with success or failure, will come down on Tanner and his decision making now more than ever.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union.