Guzman joins the Kickers’ technical staff after working with USL League Two giants Des Moines Menace
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond Kickers are pleased to announce the hiring of Jose Guzman as the technical staff’s new Director of Player Personnel.
Guzman takes over the helm of the Kickers’ award-winning team operations administration following two seasons with USL League Two giants Des Moines Menace.
The 25-year-old worked with the Menace during the 2022 and 2023 seasons where he was a jack-of-all-trades handling responsibilities ranging from stadium and gameday operations in the press box to digital media creation.
Following positive conversations with the Menace’s General Manager Charlie Bales, Kickers’ Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky invited Guzman to Richmond – his first time traveling to the east coast – where he excelled in an audition for the role before ultimately receiving an offer for the position.
Young, hungry, and passionate about soccer, Guzman relishes the opportunity to further dedicate his career at the next level with the Kickers’ professional club. Guzman is fluent in both English and Spanish and will also be able to provide further connection with the Kickers’ numerous players from Latin America.
Prior to working in the USL system, Guzman worked in gameday operations, again as a jack-of-all-trades, with the Drake University Creative Services Department where he was also a student. The Cicero, Ill. native went on to freelance with Drake’s men’s soccer team, allowing for further specialization in Division I men’s soccer.
Jose Guzman said:
“When I first spoke with Darren, we hit it off right away. I enjoyed talking the sport with him and I could tell he had a big heart for his players and coaches. He was very candid about the expectations and responsibilities of my job and I really appreciated that I’d be working under someone with decades of experience. Working with him throughout this transition has been a fun, fast-paced, learning experience, or as Darren likes to say, ‘drinking water from the fire hose.’
“What excites me the most about joining the Kickers from the Menace is the increase in professionalism. I’ve been hired to play a big role in the operations of this club, and having a front row seat to watch these professional footballers is a privilege I don’t take lightly. The Menace season typically ran from May to July, and now I’ve made this commitment to work with the Kickers day in, day out.
“I hope to leave a stamp wherever I am in my American professional soccer journey. I want players and staff that I work with to say, ‘this person is industrious and reliable.’ I believe I am in an environment where my passion and hard work will lead me to thrive.”
Darren Sawatzky, Richmond Kickers Head Coach and Chief Sporting Officer said:
“We were looking for a great young professional who loves the game of soccer and the hard work that comes with it. It helps greatly that Jose understands the game and what the players do daily to be able to compete. He is a welcome addition, we are excited for him, and we look forward to his transition here while we work to evolve the professional club model in Richmond. Our goal is to continue to grow into the modern lower-league professional club selling players onto higher levels while winning in the process. Both of these goals are always difficult but Jose is aligned and ready for the challenge with us. Welcome to Richmond, Jose!”
Charlie Bales, Des Moines Menace General Manager said:
“Jose is a passionate, hardworking, intelligent, and versatile young man. He’s everything you could ask for in a team member. His passion for the sport of soccer drives the hard work and long hours he’s willing to put in. His intelligence and versatility make him a valuable asset in just about any facet of a soccer front office.
“He started as a part-time game day intern in 2022 and as I watched him become more comfortable and start to lead other workers his age or older, I knew I would want him as a full-time front office intern in 2023. I’m not even sure what his official job title was, as he was my ‘right-hand man’ that I could go to with any task, knowing it would be taken care of. Even last summer, he became more vocal with his ideas, a lot of which we implemented, and will continue to use.
“He loves the sport and wanted a full-time job in soccer. Unfortunately, I was not in a place that I could hire him. When I heard about the Richmond job I knew it was meant for him and that he would jump at the chance. Less than 72 hours after me sending the initial text he was on a plane to learn the role. I’m excited because I think he has a bright future in soccer and I know the Kickers organization has a long proud history of players and staff doing great things in the game.”
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