Report: Tab Ramos among 5 finalists for San Jose GM gig

United States Under-20 boss Tab Ramos has reportedly emerged as one of five shortlisted candidates for the vacant San Jose Earthquakes general manager gig.

Ramos is the fourth name pegged for the appointment, joining Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton, Mexican football federation youth national teams chief Dennis te Kloese, and current Quakes technical director Chris Leitch, according to ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle.

While the fifth name is a mystery, sources have confirmed that Ramos made a presentation to the club's brass earlier in the week, as did Leitch and Te Kloese.

Leitch has been acting as interim GM since the club dismissed John Doyle in August and will benefit from having intimate knowledge of the two-time MLS Cup winner.

When long-serving general manager Doyle was sacked in August, Earthquakes president Dave Kaval said, "At this time, we feel that the organization needs a fresh approach to our soccer operations."

That logic may not favor the caretaker Leitch.

Like Leitch - who played in San Jose from 2009-11 - Ramos is no stranger to the North American top flight. The 81-time capped U.S. international made 121 appearances for Red Bulls precursor, the New York/New Jersey Metrostars until his retirement in 2002.

After joining the U.S. organization in 2011, the Uruguayan-born former midfielder enjoyed successes as the Under-20 boss, most notably a quarterfinal spot in the 2015 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where the Americans lost on penalties to eventual champ Serbia.

San Jose is looking to bounce back from a drab 2016 campaign, with the northern California outfit finishing second from bottom in the Western Conference despite a late surge.