Gary McAllister, whose name first surfaced two months ago -- before Hans Backe was let go -- looks to be Metro's new coach, reports BigAppleSoccer. "An announcement could be coming as early as next week," a source told the website.

McAllister, who will turn 48 on Christmas, is a former Scottish international, captaining his country at Euro 96. His time in Liverpool from 2000 to 2002 intersected the managerial tenure of current Red Bull global director.

McAllister's record on the bench is limited at best; he managed Coventry City from 2002 to 2004 as a player-coach, and had a short stint at Leeds United in 2008. From 2010 to 2011 he was an assistant at Aston Villa, under -- who else -- Houllier.