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Dan Lobring editorial: Chicago Fire Director of Comms hits back

Read the rambling Dan Lobring editorial, as the Chicago Fire Director of Communications hits back after criticism of his appointment and start to the job.

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Dan Lobring editorial: Chicago Fire Director of Communications hits back after criticism
Lobring… Doesn’t feel part of the family (Image: Loyola Compass)

Read the rambling Dan Lobring editorial, posted on the Chicago Fire website, as the club’s Director of Communications hits back after criticism of his appointment and start to the job from the “Fire Family”.

In What it means to be a part of the Fire Family, Lobring explains how he feels labelled as a “shitty hire” with “zero soccer experience” after just 6 months in the job:

I have a confession to make. I’m a new Chicago Fire fan, having been hired to oversee communications for the club just six months ago. But according to some folks, I was also a “shitty hire.” The only professional experience (“zero soccer experience”) I have is “promoting a video game” and I do “not belong leading the Communications department.”

… and then moves on to his appearance and how it all ties in together:

Additionally, I also “need to shave.” To be fair, that one is true, but my wife thinks I look weird totally clean shaven. To be fairer, all of the other statements might also be true, but I would like the opportunity to prove how shitty I am first. To be fairest of all, maybe I already have proven it six months into the job.

The Chicago Fire Director of Communications, 34, criticised the supporters:

But I’m more interested in learning what made me a shitty hire on day one? What brought about the warm reception from a vocal few as I was introduced as a new member of the “Fire family?” My best guess is that because I work for an owner who is supposedly “cheap,” “doesn’t care,” and only sees the team as a “toy.” Or maybe it’s because I’m joining a front office staff that just “doesn’t get it” or only makes “bad decisions.”

Really? Yikes.

Want to make calls for front office firings? Find me someone who doesn’t think they could be doing their job better. Telling me I suck at my job? That all comes with the territory I guess.

Lobring also reassures us of exactly which message boards he reads:

Fortunately, those are the only things that I’ve read about online, or have had forwarded my way, or that I have seen on the supporter message boards (I would hate to read the non-supporter boards).

And, in summing up:

I don’t pretend to know everything there is to know about soccer, the Fire or MLS.

Lobring editorial: Twitter reaction

Unfortunately for Lobring his attempt to clear the air might not have gone down quite as well as he may have hoped with supporters of the MLS side and the media:

@wreckyourworld Just a direct quote.

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

@FCSchadenfreude Help me understand why.

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

@dlobring @ChicagoFire apparently you don't do too well with criticism. Maybe you should have filled out a hurt feelings report instead?

— Erik Easton (@ErikEaston) August 22, 2013

.@dlobring also spelled "okay" as "ok" which is no bueno.

— Ruben Tisch (@rubentisch) August 22, 2013

@pezkoreaddict @ChicagoFire Not sure how a commentary on #CF97 culture/values = bashing all fans

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

@loveisquartz @pezkoreaddict @ChicagoFire No intention to bash, quite the opposite.

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

@Freddy_Coba Yes. To be clear, criticism is OK and to be expected. Destructive behavior inconsistent with the Club's values is not.

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

@GoatKING What about calling out the minority of the fanbase to literally protect the majority of #CF97 fans?

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

@Suntimes Not exactly. Not a rant.

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

@earthmorgan Don't like some of the framing. Not a rant, a POV, and not directed at the majority of fans.

— Dan Lobring (@dlobring) August 22, 2013

Lobring editorial: Full rant

Read the full 1372 word Dan Lobring editorial on the Chicago Fire website.