Bradley Out As US Soccer Head Coach - UPDATE: Klinsmann In

First off, while I do think it was time for a change, thanks to Coach Sweats for a great run and his service to US Soccer.

As per his replacement, I’m pretty sure it’ll be Klinnsman as well and I’m not sure how I feel about that. He’s been less than spectacular as a coach in general, though he does bring an understanding of US culture and soccer than few foreign coaches have. He was rumored to be taking the job previously but US Soccer wouldn’t give him the control over youth development that he wanted, I’m very intrigued to see if they’ve changed their minds there.

For me the ideal choice would be Hiddink as he seems to have that magic touch for getting the most out of whatever squad he works with (see South Korea, Australia, a bit hit or miss with Russia). I like the idea of Bielsa as well, he took Chile from relative obscurity to the second round of the last World Cup while playing an attractive, attacking game.

Will be interesting to see if they go with Klinsmann and grant him more authority over development strategy given Claudio Reyna’s new role and the recent revamp of development strategy.

Agreed on the thanks to Bradley. Thought he did an admirable job for the most part and made a great run in 02.

25% of me balks at this move when I consider how much of a slippery slope the coaching carousel was for Mexico. And other cliches.

But the other 75% of me is pleased. No hard feelings, Bob. You did some things to be proud of.

But no coach needs to stick around for 8 years in international soccer, and the reasons why were becoming readily apparent in ’11.

Just like the Longhorns did, US Soccer needs some new blood.

This is fantastic news. Good is the enemy of great.
 
Or, in this case, mediocrity is the enemy of good.
 
Give me Klinsmann.
 
Now we just need to get more dudes named Clint and DeSean playing soccer and fewer kids named Landon and Parker.

US Soccer star Parker Lewis can’t lose!

I would love to get Klinsmann. Even if he lost every game with the mens team for 4 years, our youth system would be set up for much better success, and we could move to be a real power like we are in Beisbol.

Ok, so we suck at baseball, but we’d have potential to displace Mexico as the premier team in North America, and that would be fine with me.

The Anti Klinsmann thinking.

From the contra-Klins article:

“What Klinsmann continues to stand on as a manager is his time in charge of Germany at the 2006 World Cup. He took over an aging squad that had been embarrassed at Euro 2004, shed the dead weight, brought in some young guys and took them to the World Cup semifinals on home soil.”

Being able to shed some experienced but aging dead weight and bring in some young guys counts for a lot. Bradley’s inability, or unwillingness, to chance doing this is one of the most common criticisms I hear about him from observant fans. But I rarely, if ever, hear that criticism from the media.

Thanks for the link Drew. The one thing that would get me excited about Klinsmann is his eagerness to rethink how the US approaches player development. He may not be much of a scout but he knows and cares enough about good player development systems to improve our efforts there. And really, that’s what the emphasis of the program should be right now. Tactics, scouting, personnel management, etc. doesn’t matter too much if none of your players can hold a candle to their counterparts on the Ghanan side, let alone Germany, Argentina, France, England, etc. It’s a long road to hoe but someone has to start sometime. But yeah, his sideline coaching ability may be very disappointing.

I’m guessing Klinsi as well. We’ve cleared out all the youth coaches save U-17 Cabrera. Plus, Flynn and Gulati are rumored to be in LA. I think what finally moved Gulati and Flynn to give Klinsi the control he was asking for is how scary good the revamped Mexico youth system is.

i know chile has more talent than us but bielsa had them playing like flat out studs for what they were in the wc. he’s a badass in my book. dont think it’ll be him but he’s my choice.

I believe Klinsmann probably has some very sound ideas about revamping our development system more in the mold of Der Mannschaft.

I just wonder how effective he can be at it. Very, I hope. Not very, I suspect.

No on Klinsmann for me.

His record as a manager is good, but with obvious questions as pointed out by that article.

I think the whole “youth development” thing is a complete red herring. If you are hiring him to revamp the youth development process, then hire him to do that, in some sort of Director of Football role. Why put the national team manager in charge of that? Those are two full time positions.

Klinsmann will have much less to work with than he ever has before. We need someone to revamp the youth development program more than we need a new manager, in my opinion. Bradley gets credit from me for one thing that no one before him ever did: blooding young players and honestly trying to find off the radar talent. That’s tough to do but he tried.

We will not compete internationally until we have a kid who can do what Neymar did yesterday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIwF0yqAZFc&feature=player_embedded#at=38

We’re a long way off from that.

We will not compete internationally until we have a kid who can do what Neymar did yesterday:

Go out in public with an extremely shitty haircut?

That, yes, and score outrageously skillful goals like the one in that Youtube clip.

The youth development angle is the most compelling argument I’ve heard in favor of Klinsmann. I like the fact that he resides in the US, is familiar with US culture, and has been an observer of soccer in the US. From the interview Drew imbedded above, Klinsmann makes a reference to the ‘inverted pyramid’ in the US related to cost/funding of youth development in the US. This is the exact point made by the Dutch in this NYT article about the development of youth by Ajax, storied club and international soccer athlete brokers extraordinaire How A Soccer Star Is Made.

I’m on board with the long view if that’s what it takes to establish a development process that exists everywhere in the world but the US. For the reasons stated above about Klinsmann’s familiarity with and comfort in the US, he appears to be the best poised to take on the longer term project of revamping that process.

We will not compete internationally until we have a kid who can do what Neymar did yesterday:

We might, he signed with Liverpool last week.

Being able to shed some experienced but aging dead weight and bring in some young guys counts for a lot. Bradley’s inability, or unwillingness, to chance doing this is one of the most common criticisms I hear about him from observant fans. But I rarely, if ever, hear that criticism from the media.

This is also the exact situation we find ourselves in at the moment, there’s some older players on their way out of the national team picture that need to be replaced by some of the younger guys. I’d also like to see some other guys who have shown real flashes of potential get some more significant minutes.

I’d also be really intrigued by the hiring of someone like Martin O’Neill (former Aston Villa manager) or maybe Mark Hughes (Man City, Fulham).

Missed a tag somewhere there, but that linked article is http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/936910/liverpool-sign-american-teenager-villyan-bijev?cc=5901

Giovani Rossi was close to that American player. He chose to play for Italy.

Love that Ajax story. Also, as a parent, like this part:

But one element of the academy’s success is that the boys are not overplayed, so the hours at De Toekomst are all business. Through age 12, they train only three times a week and play one game on the weekend. "For the young ones, we think that’s enough," Riekerink said when we talked in his office one day. "They have a private life, a family life. We don’t want to take that from them. When they are not with us, they play on the streets. They play with their friends. Sometimes that’s more important. They have the ball at their feet without anyone telling them what to do."

Meanwhile you’ve got the American suburb select tournament baseball teams practicing or playing games with their 6-year-old teams six days a week.

Bijev, 18, impressed while on trial at Liverpool last week, and scored five goals in two games with the Under-18 squad, which included a hat-trick.

That’s from ag96’s link. Two games. Five goals. Also included a hat-trick?

Well no shit. Who wrote that, Huckleberry?

I like what Bradley’s done, but the timing is right. We might as well do it before WC qualifying really kicks off.

I’ll take Klinsmann.

For all those who are anti-Klinsmann…

Who would you rather have than Jurgen? Bradley? Or someone else (please specify)?

Just rewatched Drew’s YouTube link posted above and I thought the same thing I said out loud to my tv the first time: “Man, this guy gets it.”

Klinnsman may not be the perfect technical or tactical coach, we’d probably all agree that he isn’t. But he may very well be the guy we need to transition the game in the States from a very American way of thinking about it to a more global way of thinking, and if that’s all he accomplishes it’ll be well worth his tenure.

The sticking point for me with Klinsmann is, supposing he gets the gig, will he have the stroke and support within the USSF to make any real changes? That was the issue last time and I would be a little surprised to see Gulati willing to bend on it this time.

Re: the early comment about Hiddink above, saying he’s made the most of what he’s had… it’s a good point but I’m not sure he achieved all that much with Australia, and as South Korea coach, he benefited from some very friendly refereeing. That said, I would imagine his experiences in those countries — which aren’t top-tier soccer nations and there may be other sports that dominate — would help him with the US gig.

HOD,

Your first point is what I was getting at earlier in the thread. I don’t doubt Klinsmann has good ideas. I just don’t know if he can get those ideas implemented.

But then I come back to my later point…Who’s better?

I don’t believe there’s a clearly superior option out there. And I definitely believe change is in order.

If nothing else, hiring Klinsmann (or anyone over Bradley) will send the message throughout the organization, “We’re not satisfied. This is not good enough. No one should be resting on their laurels.”

And I think that’s a net positive.

With our talent where it is, there’s a solid chance that we’re in for some lean years no matter who the coach is. So at least, this way, we’re demonstrating that we’re going to actively seek solutions to that.

For me, if it is Klinsmann, I’ll be judging his term more by the state of our development system (whenever he’s no longer the coach) compared to now than I will in terms of his wins/losses.

Re: “The sticking point for me with Klinsmann is, supposing he gets the gig, will he have the stroke and support within the USSF to make any real changes? That was the issue last time and I would be a little surprised to see Gulati willing to bend on it this time.”

Given that Klinsmann stuck to his guns previously and was passed up, if we revisited him a second time, it seems the odds would favor that the bending would be on our side, not his. Outside of someone like Klinsmann, I also wonder how much a force like the expanding MLS with its clubs that are establishing/growing their own developmental programs has enhanced awareness of the need to create a more proven and recognizable vertical player developmentmodel in the US. Accepting that fact might be what points back to Klinsmann with a different stance.

Here’s who I want instead of Klinsmann (as the manager. I think Klinsmann would be an interesting choice for a role in charge of youth development, although I really question how successful he could be given the obstacles)

Roy Hodgson.

Great international track record. Amazing at Fulham, Good at West Brom, had some job in between, can’t really remember what it was.

Might be tough to lure him away from England, but his wife is a long-suffering supportive sort, i think it can be done.

A manager won’t leave a job in the Premier League, even at West Brom, for the US gig. And given the way Hodgson set Liverpool back in half a season on the job, I’d hate to see him here.

Gulati is not the problem. Flynn and the board are. Gulati would have made this move in 2006 if he had the actual authority that his title would seem to confer. Gulati is going all in on this new hire.

That Liverpool job was clusterf*** from day one. He made some mistakes, but he wouldn’t face those kind of challenges here. And I don’t see how Liverpool should count against Hodgson but Bayern shouldn’t against Klinsmann (not directed at you HoD, just a general observation). Every manager shits the bed from time to time.

3 years of job security in a warm climate has to count for something for the manager of perpetual relegation dodgers. But its a stretch I know.

But really, I just don’t see it with Klinsmann. Yes, he pointed out the problems the US faces with youth development. EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS. What does he bring to the table to fix these enormous, deep-seated structural problems? And even if he does have some hidden special sauce besides semi-youthful vigor and an amusingly effete accent, why does that make him a good candidate for USMNT manager? How is that going to help in 2014?

I know Bradley got knocked for being boring, but these are the players on the team NOW. Lets develop some Neymars, but they aren’t there yet. So i say get an organizer, a tactical disciplinarian who can make Michael Bradley stay home and stop going to ground, who can tighten up a back line staffed with cloggers, who can take a big bite out of Clint Dempsey’s ass when he decides to shoot from 45 yards out, and can maximize the talent available right now.

A Roy, or a Roy-type experienced manager won’t be sexy, and people will whine about boring games, but we might get the right gameplan for the whole game, rather than just the last 45 minutes.

It’s Klinsmann:
http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Klinsmann-Named-Head-Coach-of-US-MNT.aspx

Per Grant Wahl on twitter:

Officicial: Jurgen Klinsmann is the new coach of the U.S. men’s soccer team. He’ll have more control then any U.S. coach before him.

Well, that’s how you handle regime change. Lock up a successor before you can the predecessor. Let’s see how it works.

My understanding is that the sticking point in the past has not been about money but rather control of the junior teams. The USSF refused to surrender on this point. As our junior teams seem to be in pretty bad shape, I hope this is a sign of a big improvement there.

As to the on the field issues for the current USMNT, there are maybe two changes he could make that may have a small benefit, but he is largely going to be stuck with the same personnel as BB. Not sure he can make much difference there, but let’s see. Hoping for the best.

Very exciting news. Hopefully Jurgen will shake up the big cigar network at the federation and we’ll start seeing some fundamental changes in the system.

Much like the Horns, hopefully the fanbase will have some patience and not expect overnight results.

Well here’s to you Jürgen! Best of luck.

ÜSMNT

The real issue I fear may be one of culture in this country. Soccer here is played by middle and upper class white kids. They are taught by middle and upper class white parents/coaches. These parents and coaches place their emphasis on structure and selflessness. Those qualities are needed in certain positions on the pitch like centerback and goalie (perhaps why US produces so many quality keepers?); but for forward players (strikers and wingers) creativity and “showboating” are desirable. I’m afraid we may be coaching these things out of our players at an extremely early age. It is not a coincidence that the best players on the USMNT is also the most arrogant, and the most likely to try and show up the other team.

Roy hodgson would do the same as Bradley 4-4-2, try to be tight at the back and nick a goal form a set piece. Is that what you want? I think yes, it gets teams a long way in international football.

Good luck to klinsman- it is only a sticking plaster though. The game needs to get more and better athletes. The Florida soccer camp model hasn’t achieved that.

Re flamingmonkey: “The real issue I fear may be one of culture in this country. Soccer here is played by middle and upper class white kids. They are taught by middle and upper class white parents/coaches.”

I’d change your second sentence to “Soccer here is ‘paid’ by middle and upper class white kids.” Soccer is ‘played’ by all classes, it’s just the mid/upper class who shell out to give their kids a shot at stardom, where parents shelling out is the current requirement in the US.

But the first part of your comment is a pretty accurate observation and directly relates to the ‘inverted pyramid’ Klinsmann was talking about in Drew’s video imbed above, and in the NYT article I linked above about Ajax youth development. In order to have soccer be a viable career option for kids in the US, the financial burden is on the parents. And moreover, the expectation that kids go to college or get an athletic scholarship is a developmental Black Hole for real talent in the US progressing to international grade asskickers. Everywhere else in the world, kids with real talent are identified and then provided the resources to develop their potential by a true developmental system on a larger scale and with better continuity. If you do that, you tap the mother lode that our country possesses.

Re EnglishAg - That’s EXACTLY what I want. Just someone to do it well, instead of haphazardly like Bradley.

Re Flaming Monkey - One thing that I don’t think gets addressed with the whole (US soccer is built around a system of rich kids aiming for college scholarships) is that our culture as a whole is much more geared towards going to college than most European countries. That is to say, its not exactly a stretch that college isn’t the goal for most European academy prospects. They probably wouldn’t be going to college anyway, as there are many trade-school type alternatives. Soccer is probably the only major sport in the US that really requires kids to completely cut college out of the loop to reach top potential, and that is always going to be a tough sell in the US.

Klinsmann knows his job is to mold the strategy for developing the game in the long term - his initial interviews haven’t been about 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1, they have been about how best to develop the game’s footprint. Who knows, Claudio Reyna may be the bigger hire here.

Sorry to rehash an old point that i don’t really understand, but isn’t Title 9 going to prevent the widespread college based model that seems to be central to the Klinsmann model?

Personally, i don’t think that the whole of the USA needs to have football in highschool and college in order for the national team to strengthen in the long term. Look at the size of Holland and Croatia - their populations are tiny.

isn’t Title 9 going to prevent the widespread college based model that seems to be central to the Klinsmann model?

Klinsmann’s model would seem to be more about removing the prominence of men’s college soccer in the US game. Check the video above, he mentions how having the goal for young players to be to get a college sponsorship holding things back.

Klinsmann sits well with me - even if all he accomplishes is changing the infrastructure… well, that plus some attitude adjustment.

withaplum —

Baseball short-suts college too. Hell, basketball kind of does. The difference is that most Men’s D-1 schools don’t offer a full range of scholarship options anyway.

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