Report: Dominic Kinnear leaving Houston to become new head coach of San Jose Earthquakes

In the continuing saga that is the Dominic Kinnear to San Jose Earthquakes story, speculation has centered on the obvious connection the club's former coach has to the Bay Area. In September, it was reported that Kinnear had been given permission to speak to the Earthquakes about potentially becoming their next head coach.

Earlier today, the Houston Chronicle reported that Kinnear had already interviewed with San Jose and that this past weekend he informed his staff at the Houston Dynamo that he would step down at the end of the MLS season to take over the reigns of the Quakes.

Both San Jose and Houston have been eliminated from postseason consideration. For embattled Quakes' head coach Mark Watson, the tail end of the season has been especially difficult as he leads a team that is suffering through its longest ever winless streak. 13 games and counting for San Jose -- a mark that matches the club's worst spell, in the 2011 season.

The Earthquakes have yet to comment on the current Chronicle report. Back in September, when the Kinnear-to-San-Jose story took hold, a club spokesperson would only say: "All decisions regarding our technical staff and players will be made at the conclusion of the season."

Watson and the Earthquakes have two games remaining in the 2014 season. It is likely that the club will not remove Watson as head coach until the conclusion of the season, an October 26 road match at Chivas USA.

Kinnear was head coach of the Earthquakes from 2004 to 2005, leading the team to the MLS Supporters' Shield in his second season in charge, before staying with the franchise as it was moved to Houston ahead of the 2006 season. Kinnear coached the Dynamo to the next two MLS Cup championships. He also led Houston to two runners-up finishes in 2011 and 2012.