U.S. Soccer won't renew Arena's contract By BRIAN TRUSDELL, Associated Press Writer 6 minutes ago NEW YORK - Bruce Arena is out as coach of the United States men's soccer team less than three weeks after the Americans' first-round exit from the World Cup. U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said Friday that Arena's contract would not be renewed when it runs out at the end of the year. A search for a replacement will begin immediately, Gulati said, adding that no potential candidates have been contacted. "Bruce expressed a desire to continue. I'm sure he'll have opportunities. He had a great opportunity before the World Cup, but he didn't want to be distracted," said Gulati, who didn't specify what opportunity Arena had. "No doubt there will be multiple opportunities in the soccer world in the U.S. and outside if he wants them." Arena, who coached the U.S. for eight years, leaves as the most successful coach in the history of the national team, having won more than twice as many games (71) as any of his predecessors. He guided the United States to two CONCACAF Gold Cup titles and two straight appearances in the World Cup. But the latest trip to soccer's biggest tournament was a disappointment, with the United States being eliminated following a 2-1 loss to Ghana in the first round in Germany. "Eight years is a long period," Gulati said. "I'm not saying we need to change direction, the direction Bruce set is very positive. But having a fresh approach, after eight years, which is a very long time, is the strongest factor." Gulati said the U.S. will schedule exhibition games later this year and Arena would be the coach if a replacement is not found. Any potential coach from MLS likely would not be available until after the season, which concludes with the championship game Nov. 12. Gulati praised Arena for his accomplishments and said he had done "an extraordinary job." "I am proud of how far the organization has come over the last eight years, and I am extremely optimistic about the future of the sport in our country," Arena said in a statement released by U.S. Soccer. "As for me, I am planning to take some time off to weigh my future opportunities." Juergen Klinsmann, who resigned as coach of Germany on Wednesday after guiding his native country to a third-place finish at the World Cup, has been mentioned as a potential replacement, but said he has no interest. Klinsmann lives in California near the U.S. team's main training base at the Home Depot Center in Carson. Other possible replacements include Arena's assistant, Glenn "Mooch" Myernick, as well as Sigi Schmid of the Columbus Crew, Dave Sarachan of the Chicago Fire and Bob Bradley of Chivas USA. Gulati, who was elected president of the U.S. federation in March, said any future coach would need "some knowledge of American soccer, experience, leadership, a track record of success." "Does Juergen Klinsmann have those qualities? He probably does," Gulati said. "He's had success with the German team; he has a much better handle on American soccer scene than someone who hasn't spent time here; he's inquisitive. He's an intelligent guy, multilingual with a lot of very positive qualities." Before taking over as manager of the United States, Arena also won or shared five NCAA titles as coach of Virginia, won two Major League Soccer championships with D.C. United and also claimed the CONCACAF Champions Cup with D.C. After replacing Steve Sampson following the United States' last-place finish in the 1998 World Cup, Arena finished with a 71-30-29 record in eight years as coach of the United States, easily surpassing Bora Milutinovic, who went 30-35-31 from 1991-1995. Sampson had a record of 26-22-14 from 1995-1998. ________________________________________________________________ As I've said before, Bruce Arena is the best American born coach this country has ever seen. He has been a winner at every level. He took the national team as far as he could possibly take them. It's rare for a national team to hold on for their coach through 2 full World Cup cycles. I think he knows, as does US Soccer, that it was simply time, regardless of what happened in this World Cup. The next step is to get a coach who can take them to the next level, that being a true world power. I think Juergen Klinsmann is that coach. He has an American style of training with the knowledge of one of the world's all-time best strikers. It's going to cost the USSF some serious cash, but this is what it's going to take. All US Soccer fans should say a huge "THANK YOU, BRUCE!" for what he's done with growing the game in this country.
We all could see this one coming...he did a good job turning things around...he was the first step for the US to get better..now they have to take the next step and hopefully they will move forward.
Good...Although, I'm not sure who's next...We need a European coach...Someone that can shake this team up and make something happen...
THANK YOU BRUCE. What he did for US soccer was great. But it is time for new blood leading the team. If we could get Klinsmann it'd be great, it'll probably be a while before any agreement is reached with him though. Also, there's rumors that Arena has been offered the New York Red Bulls coaching job and may take it. I'm not sure how credible that is though, or if he's even willing to coach in MLS again.
That's just speculation right now...he would be definitly a good thing for US Soccer. ANy coach from europe to shake things up would be nice to see..
Bruce really helped US soccer, and really made things exciting in the '02 WC. I'm hoping they bring in a European coach. Doesn't the Germany coach live in Cali? i remember hearing something about that on ESPN during the worldcup and how the fans in Germany were pissed off about him living in the USA.
Klinsman, it is possible, he live in the USA, but he likes it there because nobody knows who he is. and he can just walk on the streets without being recognized(which is not possible in Europe). I'm not sure if Klinsman is the guy for you, I do not think Klinsman is that good, he didn't do good with Germany before the WC, i think he wouldn't even have qualified, if he had to qualify. He did ok in the WC, but IMHO that was because he had some easy games(the entire group fase), and then his team and the country got confident. Zweden was a disapointment so they could beat them. Argentina should have beaten them but their coach made some HUGE mistakes. So like i said i do not think klinsman is the guy for you. ps. maybe try a Dutch coach
I'm not sure if you mean that he started living in the USA after the WC ended,but that is not true. He has lived there for some time, and he did most of his work from the usa, and he used other people to scout his players in Germany.
No, I meant I heard the speculation of him coaching the US team (probably because of the fact that he lives here) after the worldcup had ended.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=373106&root=us&cc=5901&cc=5901 The Uber Favorite Jürgen Klinsmann -- It should come as no surprise that the hottest name in worldwide soccer might appear on this list. Klinsmann took a German side that was appearing very ordinary a few years ago and has propelled them into the semifinals of the World Cup, playing smart, tactical soccer and instilling team discipline. In other words, everything the United States lacked in its opening round travesty. A resident of California, Klinsmann is sure to receive a bevy of offers after the World Cup from many clubs seeking his services. During his tenure as the coach of the German national team, he drew the ire of many in the media for commuting from the United States and not being based in Germany. Such is his love for his California home that a job stateside might appeal to him more then a big-money European offer. Klinsmann is also a close friend of Arena and has been a frequent guest and participant of both national team and MLS practices in the California area. Klinsmann not only understands the American mentality and challenge, but the playing style he employs with his team would mesh well with the technical level of the current crop of U.S. national team players. While he has stated he has no interest in the job right now, the ability to work close to home and in the relatively pressure-free environment offered stateside might be too much for Klinsmann to pass up. Even should Arena decide that he wants to return, if Klinsmann were to show interest in the job, he would have to be considered the favorite for the position. Well, it is going be interesting. No one knows if Arena is staying, going or if the USSF wants Arena to stay or go. The simple fact is, there are no shortage of scenarios that could play out over the coming weeks or months. Stay tuned. -------------------------- The Grandfather Figure Leo Beenhakker -- Few American soccer fans knew this name before Trinidad and Tobago's stunning and heroic draw versus Sweden in its opening game of group play. With several of the veterans from 2006 unlikely to see minutes in 2010, the United States could well benefit from the presence of the aging Dutchman. Leo Beenhakker has seen his reputation soar over the past weeks as the tiny Caribbean nation put together a surprisingly strong World Cup performance. His four decades in the game has taken the Dutchman on a globe-trotting journey of working both for club and country. Beenhakker has managed the Dutch national side and Saudi Arabia in addition to his time with Trinidad & Tobago. His greatest success came with Real Madrid in the 1980s where he won three La Liga titles with the massive side. Although pushing 64, Beenhakker might be lured to the United States at the right price, but with his age and propensity to be lured away by a better offer, Beenhakker might be too much of a flight risk for a national team in need of stability.
I'm not so concerned about his results. I'm more concerned about teaching the US players from the perspective of someone who's actually won the WC as a player and took 3rd as a coach. He knows what it takes more than anyone in the US. There's no telling what Germany would have done in qualifing. I'm sure they would have still been there. If you're going to use qualfying as a barometer, look at Serbia & Montenegro. They didn't give up a goal in qualifying and got slaughtered in the Cup. Qualifying isn't necessarily a huge deal for us. The region is weak. It's about what we do when we get there.
I understand that, but i think that for the USA it would be better to get a more experienced coach. So i do not think Klinsman(who in my opinion is overrated) is the best option for them. But we will see.
What's wrong with trying to get any AMERICAN to run an AMERICAN futbol teaM? Afraid of failure? Can't do that to the U.S. Soccer Fans... I am ALWAYS against foreigners coaching teams... yes, even MEXICO. I am against that 100%, but once they're in, they're IN...
