Despite a disappointing 2018 campaign, all signs indicate that two of the Chicago Fire’s major out-of-contract figures will be coming back in 2019.



Multiple sources tell The Athletic that head coach Veljko Paunovic and the organization have been in talks the past several weeks about a new deal, and are closing in on a multi-year contract for him to return to the club. Paunovic is due to be out of contract at the end of this year. The Fire declined to comment.



The potential new deal comes after the Fire finished this past season 8-18-8, the second worst record in the Eastern Conference and fourth-worst in MLS overall. The result was a disappointment given the Fire seemed to be trending up in 2017, finishing third in the East and ending a four-season postseason drought.



Hired ahead of the 2016 season, Paunovic brings an at-times charismatic personality and intriguing resume to Chicago. As a player he earned caps for Serbia and Montenegro and enjoyed a...