Top Stories

Who would you hire as USMNT head coach?

 Klinsmann (ISI)

The Bob Bradley era with the U.S. national team is over, and while we should find out who is replacing him soon, there's still time to consider the possibilities.

Juergen Klinsmann is the heavy favorite to take the job, but Italian manager Marcelo Lippi has also been mentioned. There are any number of candidates with their names being bounced around, but

One coach not on that list was Marcelo Bielsa, who recently took the Athletic Bilbao managerial position. If he were still available, he would certainly have been a top candidate.

Who did you vote for and why? Who wasn't on the ballot that you would have voted for?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Reyna is in a position to change that, and he seems to be bringing US Soccer along. He’s in charge of player development, and as I understand it he led the group that just came out with its recommendations for developing players from age 4 or 5 on up. It’s a great document: calls for Spanish-style possession play, with quick passing in a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1. Huge emphasis on technical skills, and very specific advice for coaches of all age groups. Anyone who’s interested in where US Soccer wants to see itself go should check it out. (Also, any coaches should read it: great advice.) And most of this seems to be right in sync with Reyna’s thinking–develop an identifiable style, and build a structure that will train young players to play it.

    I find it very encouraging, and I’d expect (hope!) the new usmnt coach to be someone who endorses it….

    Reply
  2. Is there a reason that Marco van Basten isn’t on that list? I would love to see the Americans attempt Total Football.

    Reply
  3. I’m confused that Claudio got only 2% in this poll. He’s the most iconic player in USMNT history, coincident with the period of the US’ deepest WC run. He has instant credibility with the players, and credibility matters. He’s also intimately acquainted with the current USSF structure. Struggles with the brass would be minimized. He knows them and they know him. He’s also the candidate most closely involved with the development system, which means two things. For the short-term, he knows best where to look to inject new talent into the pool. For the future, he has capital to spend on influencing changes to that system.

    Contrast the two leading vote-getters. If Klinsmann was going to be the USMNT manager, he would have been before now. If he’s announced later today, I’ll eat crow, but I doubt it. He and Gulati obviously don’t see eye to eye on how a national manager should function. People love that Klinsy is an iconoclast, but that would surely cause problems down the road.

    As for Hiddink, he has a history of waffling worthy of a Belgian chef. Would he keep both eyes on US soccer, or would he keep an ‘I want to regain my old Chelsea job when Roman tires of the new kid’ train of thought in his head?

    Reply
  4. I’m too lazy to look, but does anyone know whether/what USMNT players have been tweeting about this, i.e., their thoughts on Bradley being fired, his legacy, or thoughts about who should replace him? The latter would probably be ill-advised, but fun to know…

    Reply
  5. If Klinsmann gets the nod the real story will be how much control he’s given and how much he gives up. Whoever gets this job though, it’s not about trophies, it’s about developing a sport and a culture for young athletes. That has evolved a lot in 20 years and needs to continue improving.

    His record aside, which is impressive, I think more than anything, the next coach will determine Bradley’s ultimate legacy. Will he be the metaphorical “middle child” who is quite accomplished but doesn’t measure up to the elder Arena or the baby brother?

    I think we’re going to look back on his tenure as a very important time in US soccer, one that the new coach will build on. Fun times are in store folks!

    Reply
  6. For anybody who wants an American coach because he “knows our player pool”, I suggest you read Soccernomics.

    Some pretty valid points about foreign coaches…

    Reply
  7. Golden Guus would be ideal. Respected internationally, track record for getting smaller nations to punch above their weight, and the penchant for creativity and movement that makes for attractive football.

    Problem is… This job is way below him at the moment. Seeing as serious talks have been had in the past with Klinsmann, the edge obvious has to be his. I do like Klinsy’s approach, but he does not have success with foreign teams to his credit as Hiddink does.

    Reply
  8. I’m a pretty new fan, so have patience with me if my comments and questions are not the smartest.

    I’m unclear on the head coach’s role in creating young talent and finding talent vs. coaching a given team.

    My gripe with Bradley wasn’t results per se. During most of five out of six gold cup games, I had the definite feeling I was watching 11 players with 11 different strategies. THAT is a coaching problem.

    I read here that we want a coach with a strategy. But what KIND of strategy would work best for the U.S., given its modest pool of talent? Certainly not one based on superstar ability and highlight reel plays. Can the side play consistent possession/short pass as in the victory over Jamaica? The most convincing game I’ve seen them play in recent years was the Confed. victory over Spain–conservative bunker defense plus strong counters.

    Reply
  9. Klinsmann has several things in his favor. He took 3rd place with a German side that wasn’t favored. He tutored the young successful Low in Germany. He may have the moxie to bring another coach along then replace Sunil. He correctly identified the problems with USSF youth programs.

    Reply
  10. That is a good point. I think Bayern were in third when they let him go, not that far back in the table if memory serves me correctly. He had a vision for Bayern also that he was attempting to accomplish over several years. I thought Bayern had committed publically to supporting the changes he wanted to implement but ultimately Bayern mgmt decided they didn’t want to wait a while to win.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to John Cancel reply