With the departure of President and GM John Guppy last week added to all the turmoil of the past year, Backdraft's writers decided to get together and talk about where the Fire stands now.

Here are their answers to five key questions regarding Guppy's departure, what it tells us about Andrew Hauptman, what qualities the next GM should have, and whether the Fire are in capable hands with Javier Leon stewarding the ship in the meantime.

1. Were you surprised by the timing of Guppy's departure? What does this move tell us about the Fire's new owner, Andrew Hauptman?

Irish Steve: No, it’s almost 3 years to the day that Guppy was hired. It looks to me like his contract may have been up and Andrew decided not to give him an extension. This tells us that the owner has inherited a club with a lot of internal problems and he is doing the best he can to put it right. He clearly isn’t happy with the workings of the front office and is not afraid to make changes.

Michael Giacometti: I was not surprised Guppy was let go, though I was a little surprised at the timing. The move tells us that Andrew Hauptman is a businessman first, as he sees an issue and acts with authority. Now how this move pans out has yet to be seen. It would be my estimation that we will know more of his character and commitment when this situation results in a hiring--and perhaps even into when we begin to see the fruits of that hiring. Is Hauptman looking long-term and willing to take the risk to make an appropriate investment on someone he feels will take the organisation to the next level, or is it simply going to be a stop-gap Gm until we can get someone more suited?

Steve: For many fans it’s hard to pinpoint one reason for the anger at Guppy. He had big shoes to fill and fans will always begrudge him for replacing Peter Wilt. Unlike Peter, Guppy never got along well with the fans; he came off as a businessman not a “soccer guy.” The Osorio/Spencer/Hamlett situation is probably what drove most fans to hate Guppy. The whole situation made most fans feel like their club was the laughing stock of the league.

3. What qualities and experience should owner Andrew Hauptman be longing for in the Fire's next President and GM?

Steve: First, the person must be someone that knows the ins and outs of MLS. With the addition of Klopas as technical director the need for the President and GM to know a lot about the world game or about individual players that could potentially sign for the Fire is much less. The new President and GM should be a person who already has connections with the corporate world and also has a good marketing brain.

Michael: If my prediction of Hauptman holds true, the next GM will be someone that Andrew can work/relate to closely. I don't know just how much involvement Hauptman wants in the operations of the team, but he certainly has a passion for it. I can only see someone in the GM role who equally shares his love/passion/concern/dedication for the team. My skepticism, however, is that it may have been Hauptman who wants more for less, and that attitude (especially in terms of player negotiation) may also be shared by a new GM. While not everyone will score on amazing Generation Adidas players, or find diamonds in the rough, let's hope there is not a 'dollar bill' Wirtz in the making.

Mike: Tradition. Honor. Passion. These are more than words, more than a marketing campaign. The new GM must understand this from day one.

4. What should the priorities for the next Fire GM be on and off the field?

Steve: The most important off the field issue is the season ticket sales which are among the lowest in the league. Andrew was clearly not happy with the number of season tickets sold for this season and the new President/GM will have to improve on this. On the field, he must work closely with Frank Klopas to find players that will make a difference to our team. As of now we have some cap room available and there are always good players out there: the President/GM just needs to attract them to Chicago. The President/GM has to build up a good relationship with the fans, especially Section 8. All we are looking for is someone that is dedicated to his job and someone who shows a real passion for the Fire. With Peter Wilt this was clear; with Guppy it was very unclear.

Michael: I will know that the Fire have arrived when I see season tickets go above 10,000 (that may be low, but according to the current numbers, it will be an impressive improvement). I will know the Fire have arrived at the next level of play when I see satisfactory replacements for CJ and Blanco--as well as the inclusion of a RIGHT WINGER that is worth his salt. I will know the Fire have arrived when we cut the dead weight in terms of players that don't make the grade--or continuously show a 'need to develop'; you can't win them all in terms of getting players at their peak, but there is no reason we should treat this organisation as a farm team for anyone else/any other team/any other league. Once that attitude adjustment is in place, I will KNOW that the Fire have arrived.

Mike: I feel the role should be split similar to Houston. A President/CEO and an Operations Director. Operations will oversee day to day off-the-field business with the CEO in charge of the overall strategy.

5. What do you know about interim President and GM Javier Leon? How will Guppy's departure impact on the Fire in the short-term?

Steve: All I know about Javier is that he is an Andrew Hauptman guy who is just filling in until the owner finds a more suitable candidate for the President/GM job. I expect him to be there for not much longer than a month. In the short term, Guppy’s departure will not have too big of an impact. The owner was quick to replace him with Leon who was essentially Guppy’s boss and thus could do all the things that Guppy did on a daily basis.

Michael: I know nothing of Javier Leon aside from that he was at Chivas and apparently did some good work there. I don't know that Guppy's departure will impact the Fire (on the field). I am certain that many of the players knew him--and maybe even some were friends with him. However, it is a business, and people lose their jobs/leave companies all the time.

On the business side, I think it will cause a little commotion, as Javier (should he do his job correctly) will get himself inside the contacts and contracts that are in place with sponsors and any other deal in place so much so that he should be able to report back to Hauptman on how they can be improved. I think this is part of why he is the interim GM--to see how the business side of the Fire can be improved from where Guppy left off.