SAN JOSE — The Earthquakes have no plans to change coaches although they’ve won only twice in five months under Sweden’s Mikael Stahre.

General manager Jesse Fioranelli told the Bay Area News Group no changes are forthcoming when asked directly if Stahre would be fired.

“It is correct we’re not going to take any rash decisions,” Fioranelli said late Monday in a wide-ranging interview about the Quakes’ status. “We as a club, the players and coaching staff, we don’t believe in taking rash decisions. We want to work it out together. This is not only coming from me, but it also is felt inside the locker room.”

The second-year general manager also said the players remain united despite an appearance of rising tensions.

“There is only one truth and that truth is being represented inside the locker room,” he said.

But Fioranelli acknowledged the plan to rebuild the backline this year failed as the Quakes have lost or tied games because of defensive mistakes.

“I didn’t expect to have the challenges we’ve had,” he said. “I fell short.”

Fioranelli hinted about opportunities for next season but declined to talk specifically about any potential player acquisition as the Earthquakes (2-11-6, 12 points) attempt to regroup in the second half of the year.

The GM did say the team has discussed the possibility of trading defensive midfielder Fatai Alashe, whose contract ends after the season.

“There have been talks the past two weeks,” Fioranelli said. “We still have to evaluate. We will listen carefully to what those opportunities bring.”

The trade talks began before Alashe became the focus of questions about the Quakes’ unity. The former starter was shown on television in a heated argument with Stahre after being replaced just before the second half started Saturday at Montreal.

Alashe, whose role has diminished this year, had entered the game at the end of the first half but suffered a groin muscle strain in five minutes of action.

Fioranelli supported Stahre’s explanation about making a change because of the injury. But the GM acknowledged Alashe, 24, wasn’t aware of the change, which usually would have been communicated during the intermission.

“And when he was subbed off he was frustrated and overreacted,” Fioranelli said. “I understand that it can be misunderstood based on what was seen on television.”

The general manager also clarified what happened with midfielder Anibal Godoy, the player Alashe replaced at the end of the first half. Godoy, who received an early yellow card, suffered a knee strain and asked three times to be taken out of the game that San Jose eventually lost 2-0.

But Godoy didn’t appear injured when heading directly to the locker room.

“It was visible he was struggling for a while and already having a yellow card he wanted to pull himself out to not harm the team anymore,” Fioranelli said.

The player was accompanied to the locker room by trainer Ron Shinault for evaluation, the GM added.

The situations with the two players left an impression on fans that Stahre had lost control of the struggling team. Star Chris Wondolowski posted on Twitter after the game late Saturday defending his coach and saying only the players can be blamed for the poor record.

In his second year of revamping the soccer culture in San Jose, Fioranelli is under increasing pressure to get results while building an academy that can sustain the Earthquakes for the long term.

The criticism even has come from one of the team’s most passionate players Florian Jungwirth. The German defender/midfielder has spoken out numerous times in frustration. The latest came last week when he told Quakes Epicenter that the current roster isn’t good enough to compete for a playoff spot. Without a miracle turnaround, San Jose will miss the MLS Cup playoffs for the fifth time in six years.

Fioranelli said the team has no plans to rein in Jungwirth, who has been one of the San Jose’s best players since arriving last year.

“We will never withhold a player from having the opportunity to speak to the media nor will we script what they have to say,” the GM said. “On the contrary, we trust in our players. We know they care about the team and their teammates.”

Fioranelli believes in the Quakes’ direction that he initiated after arriving before the start of the 2017 season. He dramatically changed the course a year ago when firing coach Dominic Kinnear and replacing him with technical director Chris Leitch.

Then Leitch returned to his management position this year when Fioranelli signed Stahre, an MLS newcomer whose job also is to integrate the talent the Quakes have been developing in its youth programs.

The roster has been overhauled under Fioranelli, who has made the Earthquakes one of the MLS’ younger teams.

While signings such as leading scorer Danny Hoesen have been high-water marks, others seem to have missed. The Earthquakes have yet to get strong performances from defenders Francois Affolter of Switzerland, Yeferson Quintana of Uruguay and Joel Qwiberg of Sweden. Also, Reno-affiliate players Kevin Partida and Chris Wehan have struggled to make a smooth transition to MLS.

Fioranelli defended his players, saying, “I’m not doubting the commitment from any single player nor am I putting into question any single player that we have signed. There is something to be said about the change and the changes throughout the season but certainly not on the commitment and character of the players.”

Obviously, the Earthquakes want to put a positive spin on the future. But Fioranelli promises supporters’ patience will pay off, perhaps as soon as next season. The GM said officials are not changing the plan, starting with the signing of central defender Guram Kashia, the Georgian national team captain. Kashia is not only expected to bring stability to the backline but perhaps become a calming presence for designated player Valeri Qazaishvili, his Georgian national teammate.

Kashia is expected to be eligible July 25 when the Quakes play host to Seattle Sounders FC.

Fioranelli also praised owner John Fisher, who keeps a low profile with his Earthquakes and the Athletics. Some fans have blamed Fisher for not spending enough on player signings but Fioranelli said the owner is 100 percent committed to the team’s success.

“I wish teams in Europe would receive the support I have received from ownership to the board to the people who I work with every day,” he said. “It is something that I can fall back on with certainty. I know in these challenging times questions will arise. However, that is one aspect I have no doubt about.”

Fioranelli didn’t want to discuss the 2019 campaign with a half a season to play out. But it is clear the Quakes like the core players they have: Wondolowski, Hoesen, Qazaishvili, Jungwirth, Magnus Eriksson, Shea Salinas, Anibal Godoy, Harold Cummings and Nick Lima.

The natural flow of off-season changes also will give the team a chance to make additions. San Jose also is in position to get a high pick in the 2019 college draft because it has one of the league’s worst records.

“As we plan for 2019 season there will be further opportunities we can pursue on the allocation front even with current green cards and international slots that we will have at our disposal in due time,” Fioranelli said.

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Wondo to Earthquakes fans: Stop blaming the coach for woes Signs of better times could be seen last weekend with a pair of Homegrown teen-agers making their professional debuts in Reno with the team’s United Soccer League affiliate. Jacob Akanyirige of Pleasanton and Gilberto Fuentes of Tracy were signed in the offseason when they were 15 years old.

The teens symbolize where the Quakes are headed. The team hopes it won’t lose its fan base while trying to get there. Fioranelli believes it is working because of the Earthquakes’ commitment to change from the owner to players.

“For that reason, I am not worried,” he said.