'I'm going to do it my way': Columbus Crew holds press conference for new GM Issa Tall
Crew owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam assumed things would play out differently.
Given the interest other teams had in hiring assistant general manager Issa Tall, and the fact he was a finalist for D.C. United's GM job this offseason, the Haslams believed Tall would be long gone before general manager/president Tim Bezbatchenko ever left the organization.
A little less than halfway through the MLS regular season, Tall has indeed landed a new role, but it's with none other than the Crew.
On Friday afternoon, Tall was introduced as Columbus' new general manager. He's been promoted in the wake of Bezbatchenko's departure to become president of Black Knight Football Club, where Bezbatchenko will oversee three soccer teams, including the English Premier League's AFC Bournemouth.
"Tim did a tremendous job," Jimmy Haslam said. "I think everyone understands what an honor it is for him to go from MLS to a key executive position in the Premier League. ... At the same time, we're really fired up to work with Issa."
The Crew hired Tall during the 2019 offseason after Bezbatchenko was brought in as general manager. The two had a long history of working together, first in MLS' executive offices and then with Toronto FC, and that relationship continued to grow as they built the Crew's roster.
While Bezbatchenko was the face of the organization's rebuilding and resulting two MLS Cup victories, the Haslams credited Tall for playing an integral role in bringing many key club members to Columbus, including coach Wilfried Nancy and striker Cucho Hernandez.
"Obviously he (Bezbatchenko) was the leader, and at times he was doing things on his own," Tall said. "Often I was supporting him and were doing things together, but he also delegated a lot to me. So, he allowed me, trusted me, that I would be able to do some player signings, complete construction on a training facility (OhioHealth Performance Center) and so on."
In his introductory press conference, Tall made it clear that Bezbatchenko's trust and the two's relationship helped lead to Tall to becoming a general manager at the age of 36.
Tall described it as Bezbatchenko "coaching him up" to go after general manager positions. Even ownership ensured Tall that his time would come, whether it be with Columbus or another team. So, once Bezbatchenko got "poached" and Tall became his natural successor, the former boss was nothing but happy.
"He sent me a long, thoughtful message (on Thursday), which I couldn't reply to because I was busy," Tall said. "Then at night, he was one of the last people I wrote to, and I told him what I thought about him, and I thanked him."
What are Issa Tall's plans as Columbus Crew general manager?
The Crew are coming off a 3-0 loss to CF Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, the sting of which still lingers. But Tall said he is encouraging others to view defeating Liga MX teams Tigres and CF Monterrey to reach the tournament title match as a big accomplishment. It's that kind of success Tall wants to build off of as the Crew continue MLS regular-season play and look to contend for second straight MLS Cup.
A part of the front office when the Crew won it all in 2020 and 2023, Tall has seen what it takes to become a champion. In addition, he said respect for the club group is growing on an international level, and he wants to keep that going.
"For us to be internationally recognized, it starts with the results on the pitch," Tall said. "We've got our club on the map, but we shouldn't it stop there."
A key for Tall is looking within the organization for homegrown talent to help fill gaps in the roster. That is one important way in which his philosophies align with Nancy's.
The academy in particular is a focus for Tall. One of Tall's first moves as general manager was parting ways with Crew 2 general manager Corey Wray, as Tall is hoping to adjust the academy's structure and recruit younger players, from ages 15-17.
"I'm different (from Bezbatchenko)," Tall said. "We have different ideas, different philosophies. What reassures me is that they're very aligned with our current coach, in terms of playing style, in terms of culture and values. But there's no one perfect way of doing things. I'm going to do it my way."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew holds press conference, introduces new GM Issa Tall
