Five potential replacements for Arena
Via the Contra Costa Times, Soccer America Magazine puts up a list of five possible replacements for Arena should his contract not be renewed in December.
1. Juergen Klinsmann - German national coach
2. Frank Yallop - Los Angeles Galaxy coach
3. Bob Bradley - Chivas USA coach
4. Sigi Schmid - Columbus Crew coach
5. Guus Hiddink - Current Australian coach
A good list, however their number five has already signed on to coach Russia through 2010.
Of the other four, I would think Bob Bradley would have the inside track if they were looking for someone who is similar to Bruce but not Bruce (Bradley was an assistant coach for Arena in U of Virginia, DCU and on the national team).
Klinsmann would be the most interesting of choices and might help figure out the offensive problems the team faces.
Yallop was great with San Jose, he looked alright when he coached Canada, but let's see how he does with LA before giving him any big nod.
Then there is Schmid. Just about any place he has coached (UCLA, LA, the U-20 US team), he has been very impressive. A lot of the players know him already, so the comfort level should be there. This could result in a very good fit.
All that said, I think the odds of Bruce staying are better then him leaving, so this list might just be for talking points.
1. Juergen Klinsmann - German national coach
2. Frank Yallop - Los Angeles Galaxy coach
3. Bob Bradley - Chivas USA coach
4. Sigi Schmid - Columbus Crew coach
5. Guus Hiddink - Current Australian coach
A good list, however their number five has already signed on to coach Russia through 2010.
Of the other four, I would think Bob Bradley would have the inside track if they were looking for someone who is similar to Bruce but not Bruce (Bradley was an assistant coach for Arena in U of Virginia, DCU and on the national team).
Klinsmann would be the most interesting of choices and might help figure out the offensive problems the team faces.
Yallop was great with San Jose, he looked alright when he coached Canada, but let's see how he does with LA before giving him any big nod.
Then there is Schmid. Just about any place he has coached (UCLA, LA, the U-20 US team), he has been very impressive. A lot of the players know him already, so the comfort level should be there. This could result in a very good fit.
All that said, I think the odds of Bruce staying are better then him leaving, so this list might just be for talking points.
Labels: US MNT
posted by Mike H at 10:33 AM
5 Comments:
Interesting, I think you are the first person I have seen saying the odds are better of Bruce staying than going.
John, I just have the feeling that there is enough good will to hold him in the spot. Then again, I also thought the US would win their group, so I can be very wrong.
Yes, there's good will toward Arena despite the 2006 failure. After the 1998 disaster, he brought US soccer to the point where there actually were some expectations. But now we need someone who can bring us to the next level--to deliver on those expectations. Now is the time to shake things up, not later. I tend to agree that a European would understand what needs to be done in terms of player development & team-building, but Sigi Schmid is an appealing choice too.
As much as I hate to say it, if the US fed hires anyone from MLS the same pattern will only repeat itself. There simply isn't the same standard in our domestic league in terms or players or coaches. Both Bradley and Schmid have had chances to mold young talent at a professional level, and, for the most part, said young talent showed few signs of improvement.
And how is what any coach did in the collegiate ranks applicable to international level soccer?
I'm surprised Dick Advocaat hasn't been mentioned.
Also, I'm pretty sure Hiddink only signed with the Russian fed until Euro 2008, so he may be available for the next WCQ cycle.
IMO, Nowak and Nicol should be the top MLS prospects.
Post a Comment
<< Home