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Nowak resigns from U.S. national team, next stop Philadelphia

Peter Nowak 1 (ISIphotos.com) 

                                           Photo by ISIphotos.com

Peter Nowak said farewell to one job on Thursday, setting up his next coaching opportunity, which will begin on Friday.

Nowak officially resigned from his post as U.S. national team assistant coach on Thursday, clearing the way for him to be named head coach of the MLS expansion Philadelphia Union. Nowak's appointment as Union head coach, first reported by SBI late on Wednesday night, will be officially announced at a press conference in Chester on Friday.

Nowak spent more than two years as Bob Bradley's lead assistant coach, coaching the U.S. Under-23 and Olympic teams in the process. He took the job after completing three seasons as D.C. United head coach, where he won an MLS Cup title in 2004.

Nowak will not be immediately replaced on the U.S. national team coaching staff, which currently consists of Bradley and assistant coaches Mike Sorber, John Hackworth and Zak Abdel.

Who would you like to see join Bradley's coaching staff (Chris Armas anyone)? Still surprised Nowak left his national team post? Think Nowak will turn Philadelphia into a winner right away?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Bradley needs a good lieutenant, someone that is a great reader of the game (for those tough in-game decisions) but also who will complement his style. not a devastating loss but if we don’t handle it properly can definitely do harm.

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  2. RE: sonicdeathmonkey

    “I doubt PU will have enough practices in the next two months that it would make much of a difference.”

    Seriously? Or were you being sarcastic?

    —-

    Yes seriously. I know enough about soccer to wile away my days at SBI, but I don’t know enough about soccer to know that–ever since the Allen Iverson era–Philly teams don’t practice.

    Re: kebzach

    DWE4,

    Did you give any thought to the fact that Nowak will be using the summer and fall to start to extensively scout potential players, in and out of MLS, for the 2010 season? Maybe that’s why Philly mgmt wants him in place now, as opposed to after this summer. Just a thought.

    —-

    What do you think the top assistant on the US National team does? Hint: Not sewing names on the backs of jerseys.

    Seattle laid the groundwork for how to successfully create an expansion team. But Seattle had the distinct advantage (over Toronto, Chivas USA, and RSL) of already existing, so therefore they could retain a few of their own players.

    Having Nowak in place now is useful, but with two and a half tranfer windows between now and MLS 2010, it doesn’t make much difference whether he’s coach on May 28th or on August 1st.

    As to the players within MLS, it’s such a crap-shoot. The guys you like might not even be available for the expansion draft. If someone is available that another team wants, you’ll get your way.

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  3. I don’t know Pitor. Unlike your Olympic coacching blunders, which you ran away from and never had to answer for, you will get questioned in MLS.

    Sure you can handle that?

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  4. Wilmer Cabrera for Novak’s position, and pay Jurgen Klinsmann a princely sum to lead the U17 program, not just as the U17 head coach but to set up a strong foundation for the future MNTs by placing the right type of training and player development in the U17-U23 stages.

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  5. Seattle had its Technical Director (Chris Henderson) in place for most of 2008 – well in advance of their Opener in 2009. With Nowak’s role as manager (coach + technical director roles), he will have to replicate some of those activities that Henderson did last year. It is not too early for Nowak to join Philly, especially if it pays more $$$ than the US Soccer.

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  6. I’m still praying that this isn’t the full story. Hoping that this is all part of an elaborate plan involving Red Bull stealing another coach (Denis Hamlett), Osario going to Philly and Nowak coming home to Chicago where he belongs. Please God, let it happen.

    Reply
  7. DWE4,

    Did you give any thought to the fact that Nowak will be using the summer and fall to start to extensively scout potential players, in and out of MLS, for the 2010 season? Maybe that’s why Philly mgmt wants him in place now, as opposed to after this summer. Just a thought.

    Reply
  8. “I doubt PU will have enough practices in the next two months that it would make much of a difference.”

    Seriously? Or were you being sarcastic?

    Reply
  9. @ELAC
    I’m with you its time to put some latin Flavor to this Team, so it can become more technical instead of Long ball and Counter attacks, Nowak is good but I think is better to bring Martin Vazquez I it will suit better to players as Dempsey, Donovan, Torres, Altidore and Adu. Why? because the know how to be technical and play the ball on the ground Ala (Spain, Argentina, Brazil) so please lets start a new Era with Bob Bradley & Martin Vazquez

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  10. I for one am absolutely thrilled w/ this development. Novak was a very good player but is a HORRENDOUS manager-and I can only hope that Bradley will follow suit.

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  11. Martin Vazquez needs to be back with the Nats. He coached under Bob Bradley at CHIVAS USA.

    Vazquez was let go when Klinsi got the boot at Bayern Munich.

    We some more color on the US Nats coaching staff.

    Reply
  12. i wonder why nowak didnt stay on for the rest of the summer at the very minimum as a dual role, i think that he could do both jobs pretty diligently. If i were in his shoes, i think that would be the best desc ion. I cant imagine their are things so important in either job that he would miss out on the other.

    Reply
  13. this is a big loss for the NT and unfortunately it will not be felt to it’s full extent until next year when the world cup will be upon us. bradley and nowak together made a great pair. congrats to nowak, but selfishly speaking, i would have preferred he stay on with the NT until this world cup cycle is complete.

    Reply
  14. Surprised Nowak wouldn’t stay on to get through June & July. I doubt PU will have enough practices in the next two months that it would make that much a difference.

    Great hire, though….

    Reply

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