With six games remaining for the Dynamo, coach Dominic Kinnear can be a curmudgeon on the practice field.

His infamous Scottish temper remains primed to explode at the sight of one too many silly touches or lazy tackles.

Kinnear pushes and prods his players as they try to avoid missing the playoffs for only the second time. His focus is on the job at hand, but fans should know the Kinnear era in Houston might end next month.

The Dynamo front office has agreed to give Kinnear permission to leave after this season if the San Jose Earthquakes offer him a job. Considering the Earthquakes (6-12-10) have a coach in Mark Watson, Kinnear scoffed when asked about the San Jose job.

"I think my name comes up with jobs every once in a while," he said. "And there's always a connection between myself and San Jose. It happened when the team came back (as an expansion club in 2008).

"It happened when (coach) Frank Yallop left midway through last season. I'm always kind of fighting those rumors. I think it's unfair that it's always brought up because San Jose already has a coach and I have a contract through 2015."

More Information Dynamo update Sept. 20: Dynamo 0,Union 0. Record: 9-13-6. Sunday: Chicago at BBVA Compass Stadium, 2 p.m. TV/radio: CSNH Plus, Univision Deportes; 1560 AM, 850 AM (Spanish).

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Although Kinnear, 47, was born in Scotland, he considers the San Jose area home. His parents brought him to Fremont, Calif., when he was 3. He and his wife, Colleen, were raised in the San Jose area.

Kinnear has two brothers, a sister and five nephews in the San Jose area.

Dominic, Colleen and their three children have no immediate relatives in the Houston area. And there is a contingent of Earthquakes supporters lobbying to bring Kinnear home.

Move could take place

Dynamo ownership has denied clubs multiple times when they have requested an opportunity to interview Kinnear. Ownership gave him the current terms of his contract two winters ago after the Colorado Rapids requested permission to interview him.

So it's telling that the Dynamo brass won't stand in the Earthquakes' way if they request permission to interview him.

Kinnear will face his former Earthquakes mentor Sunday when Yallop coaches the Chicago Fire against the Dynamo (9-13-6) at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Kinnear began his coaching career as Yallop's assistant with the first incarnation of the Earthquakes in 2001. He often declares he wouldn't be where he is today without Yallop's help in 2001.

"When he got the job in San Jose, he asked me to become his assistant coach," Kinnear said of Yallop. "I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I thought I would become a youth coach and go back home. This obviously gave me a different job but in the same area. I even told him, 'Look, I don't even know if I'll be any good at this.' He goes, 'Just follow me and we should be fine.' "

The partnership worked. Yallop led San Jose to MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003 before leaving to coach the Canadian national team.

"They're closer than any other coaches in the league," said Dynamo goalkeepers coach Tim Hanley, who was also on Yallop's staff in 2001. "They're both great guys. They love playing simple, conservative soccer, take what the game gives you. They both do that."

Kinnear was promoted to coach of the Earthquakes in 2004.

"It was a tough act to follow," Kinnear said. "That 2004 season was pretty tough because we had pretty much the same team.

Success with Orange

"We made the playoffs and we got knocked out in the first round. It was definitely tough."

Kinnear rebounded in 2005 by leading the Earthquakes to the best record in MLS to the Supporters' Shield. Unable to secure a stadium deal, the Earthquakes moved to Houston after the 2005 season.

Dominic and Colleen reluctantly left their families behind in the San Jose area in 2006, but folks who know them will tell you they have always planned to return.

Kinnear has been brilliant here. He has led the Dynamo to two MLS Cup titles and four finals.

Kinnear has earned the right to return to San Jose when the Earthquakes call soon, as expected.