At 41, the Portuguese coach is entering his second season as assistant at Chicago Fire, marking it his third role abroad after serving as Bruno Lage’s assistant at Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates and Luis Castro’s assistant at Shakhtar Donetsk.
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore, Celikkaya also reveals he has already received offers to return to Europe, after making his mark as coach of Sporting B in the project led by Ruben Amorim.
"Fighting for the MLS Cup is the main goal"
Flashscore: What were the most satisfying indicators for you during Chicago Fire’s pre-season, and what signs give you confidence for the start of MLS?
Celikkaya: "There are several indicators, ranging from technical-tactical aspects to psychological and physical ones.
"The data shows we are ready for the start of the league, which will be long and split into two parts. The continuity of last year’s work and the building of this team give us confidence for the start of Major League Soccer.
"We begin the season with great confidence, knowing it will be a long journey and we must be prepared for both good and tough moments."
What has changed structurally in the team since last season - in terms of identity, intensity, and competitive mentality?
"Our aim is to keep improving everything we did last season. If we reached the playoffs with a certain style of play, good intensity, and a strong competitive mentality, we want to enhance those aspects, improve our ranking, and, if possible, win titles.
"These are behaviours that must be instilled daily, from the moment players arrive at the training centre until they leave. The club has a very distinct identity and a strong competitive mindset, because our main goal is to win matches. The more games we win, the closer we get to our overall objectives."
Was pre-season more about consolidating principles or accelerating new tactical behaviours? Where did you see the most progress?
"Pre-season is mainly about continuing to build, consolidating principles, and helping new players adopt these behaviours.
"Football is constantly evolving, with new dynamics being introduced into our style of play, and we keep building the team in this way. Naturally, new players need to absorb a bit more information, but even that instruction should be phased so the team’s development remains balanced."
How do you see Chicago Fire’s season? What are the main goals?
"We expect a very challenging season, a bit different from last year, since this year we’ll have a pre- and post-World Cup period. Still, our focus is to reach the playoffs and fight for the MLS Cup. That’s the main goal.
"We also have two other competitions - the Open Cup and the Leagues Cup with Mexican teams - and we aim to go as far as possible and win. These are our main objectives, along with continuing to develop the club and the players."
Beyond immediate results, what kind of culture do you want to establish in the locker room?
"Immediate results are the most important part of any football team, or any sport. So, we want to win every game, which then boosts our confidence and helps consolidate our processes even further.
"But we know the culture we want is focused on the process, on the behaviours each player should adopt while with us, and how they express themselves in the game. We want to achieve victory through this daily process, creating a strong team image within MLS."
"Recruitment is crucial for success in MLS"
MLS has been growing in terms of competitiveness and media exposure. How do you assess the league’s level today and the main challenges for a team looking to establish itself?
"In terms of media and competitiveness, MLS is at a very good level. There’s a salary cap that promotes competitiveness within the league across both conferences.
"The main challenges I see are creating sustainability, building a solid foundation within teams, and working with them long-term. That’s a challenge I enjoy. Recruitment, both internal and external, is increasingly decisive for a team’s success in MLS.
"And when I say recruitment, I mean both inside and outside the league. That’s also a good challenge in a league that, right now, is very attractive for those involved."
In a league with long trips and a wide variety of playing styles, what factors do you consider essential for maintaining consistency throughout the season?
"It’s truly a league with long journeys, a great diversity of styles, and it’s necessary to maintain consistency throughout the season, especially since we travel to different climates within the country, which affects the pace of the game.
"So, to ensure consistency, you need strong strategic planning and recovery routines so we can always deliver quality football. It’s also important, given the length and number of matches in this competition, to have a balanced and deep squad that allows us to compete in all tournaments."
What tactical trends do you see in MLS right now, and where do you want to position Chicago Fire in that context?
"With so many teams in MLS, there are various playing styles. Coaches learn from each other, which keeps the trends current. We’ll see if the 2026 World Cup brings new ideas.
"As for Chicago Fire, I can say we aim to build our play from the back, moving the ball forward based on what the opponent allows. We want to be a smart team, exploiting space behind the defensive line if it’s available. If not, we need the ability to break down a lower defensive block.
"We strive to be well-organised defensively and have excellent transitions, both attacking and defending. That’s what we want to be, and we achieved it in many moments last season.
"I see other MLS teams with different characteristics - some play more direct, others focus on possession, some rely on counter-attacks, and so on - and in all of them, we can find something that might surprise us at any time. MLS shows good signs for gaining even more consistency in the future."
Do you see clear progress in the development and talent of young American players? Is MLS now more of an exporter or more attractive for international talent?
"That’s something we discuss a lot internally. It’s necessary to improve and keep evolving in youth development, with better methodologies, practices, instruction, and so on.
"We know it’s a long-term process, especially with young players, and it must be done consistently over time. It’s one area where American football needs to keep evolving to produce better players in the future. Many current national team players are playing in European leagues.
"So, while MLS is exporting talent now, there are millions of players who could develop significantly with good coaches, practices, methodologies, fitness trainers, and support staff.
"MLS today is definitely both an exporter and importer. Exporter, because it can sell players for significant fees, but also an importer, recruiting talent from all over the world. I see this in a global way, not just a micro perspective."
"MLS is among the top 20 major leagues in the world"
With the league’s growing media profile and increasing investment, do you believe MLS is on track to become one of the world’s leading leagues in the next decade? What’s still missing for that final leap?
"I believe MLS is currently among the top 20 major leagues in the world. I have no doubt about that. I can’t say exactly where it ranks, as that would require a very deep study, considering many variables - conditions, infrastructure, players and their salary bases, the type of coaches here, how teams play, the investment in youth development, results at the top level, and revenue generated.
"It needs to be a macro, global study to understand where MLS stands and what’s needed to reach the top 10, top eight, or top seven. In that sense, I believe it’s not just about the game itself, which will obviously improve over time, but everything surrounding the game can also contribute greatly to the weekend spectacle."
"It’s a historic moment for football in the United States"
The World Cup in the United States is approaching. What impact do you foresee for the growth of MLS and football in the country?
"I believe MLS will experience a very positive impact over time, starting with the shift from the current calendar to the European calendar. That will bring very positive consequences, not only for player and coach transfers, but for all football stakeholders. And there will be, naturally, interest for US teams, given their economic power, to compete with European clubs.
"That’s what I foresee right now. It’s great to be in MLS in a World Cup year, especially since undergoing this transformation will be very positive - not just for any player, but also for a coach who must quickly adapt to all these changes and keep growing to maintain performance."
As a European coach working in the US, do you feel you’re part of a historic moment of transition and affirmation for American football?
"Yes, it’s a historic moment for football in the United States, and I hope it can establish itself as one of the great competitive powers in the near future, because in terms of organisation and sporting spectacle, they are truly excellent."
"I received offers to return to Europe"
Personally and professionally, how do you assess your first season at Chicago Fire?
"The first season was very, very positive considering the reality of Chicago Fire. There was strong investment in all resources - not just in the day-to-day staff responsible for each department, but also in the players, the training centre, and the future football stadium, as we’ll stop playing, training, and competing at Soldier Field, which is our current stadium.
"This first season was about establishing ourselves and setting up Chicago’s future as one of the top teams in MLS. It’s also a milestone for MLS, because people see us as a solid project, with immediate results, significant transformation in our playing style, and player transfers.
"There’s a very strong investment, and I believe in the coming years, Chicago Fire will be one of the league’s top teams. I have no doubt, and I want this club to be champions many times in the future."
Did you receive offers to return to Europe? If so, what made you decline and stay at Chicago Fire?
"Yes, I received offers to return to Europe, but I turned them down because my contract didn’t allow me to leave in my first year with the club. I got an offer that was very flattering, from a top-tier European team, but I couldn’t accept it.
"Anyway, we know football changes from one moment to the next. The most important thing for a coach is to keep developing his work, evolving, and, of course, having a winning record in the competition he’s in. I believe being exposed to different cultures prepares you better for the future.
"Right now, I’m focused on Chicago Fire, and we’ll see what the future holds. But we know Europe has very attractive clubs, and I’m not closing the door to any project that might interest me."