Bob Bradley is just two days away from beginning his new coaching project with Le Havre in France.
Bradley completed his first training session with his new club on Thursday, and all eyes will be on him and the club this weekend. The former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach will lead his new club out against Saint-Omer on Saturday in the Coupe de France.
“I know the history of (Le Havre). I know that it’s the oldest club in France. I know that it has an excellent academy, and I also realize in the moment that it’s an excellent football project,” Bradley told the club’s website during a press conference on Thursday. “Fantastic stadium, and a team that is motivated to move forward.”
Bradley, who coached at the international level with the USMNT and then with the Egyptian national team, brings plenty of experience to Le Havre. Those experiences at a high level will prove vital as he takes on the new project of leading his Ligue 2 side to promotion.
“When you coach in the top tournaments against the best teams, you see what the level of soccer is all about, you face some of the best players in the world, and this gives you a perspective that you always keep with you,” Bradley said.
In spite of his wealth of international experience and exposure, Bradley says he considers himself to be a club coach first and foremost. Having attained a breadth of knowledge with the U.S. then Egypt, he decided to head a European club, a task not too many American coaches have attempted before.
“It was a chance to work in club football. It’s a small club that hit some difficult times, but I was confident that it was a club where I could show my work and prove myself and do it with good people,” Bradley said in response to why he chose to lead Stabaek in Norway after years of coaching at the international level.
In two years, he turned Stabaek into a team to be reckoned with, and the club will now compete in the UEFA Europa League after finishing third in the Tippeligaen under the guidance of Bradley.
Le Havre is currently fourth on the Ligue 2 table, having secured 23 points through 14 games. Bradley won’t try building upon that number until Nov. 23, when his side hosts ninth-place Brest. Le Havre is four points shy of first place in the league, but in order to gain promotion into France’s top tier, a second-place finish will suffice.
An opportunity to lead Le Havre to the top flight is a project he says is looking forward to, and after Thursday’s training, he expects the best from his team and staff.
“I was very pleased with the first training session, excellent tempo and intensity, and this is how we get to know each other and begin good work,” Bradley said.”So, for the first day, satisfied, but now, every day, more.”
What do you think of Bradley’s comments? How do you think he will fare in Ligue 2 with Le Havre?
Share your thoughts below.
The sporting director, Christophe Revault looks just like Bob! Watch the Youtube link above where he talks about the first practice and you’ll see Bob’s twin who dresses like Bob and even sits at the press conference just like Bob.
Super stoked about this hire as Le Havre have been my FIFA team for a year plus. Their history is deep and their shield is awesome…it’s a fu*king dragon!!!
Go BOB! Go Le Havre!
Who are his assistant coaches?
Once spent a night in Le Havre during our trip to Normandy. Visited Omaha Beach and all the little towns Madeline and Pepito went through on their adventures with the carnival. Lovely little city, although nothing really stood out. Good luck Cheatin’ Bob. (He will always be that to me!)
Le Havre was completely destroyed in the war. The new church is amazing, and the rebuilt city is unique in the world, if unspectacular.
My wife’s family has a country house on the coast there and I’ll definitely try to go see Bob’s team play this season.
I lived in Normandy, on an off for two years when I competed for an French amateur cycling team (UV Caen) in ’76-77. I lived in a small town that sat directly on the Prime Meridian, Villers sur Mer, and if you went down to the beach and looked north you could see Le Havre about 18 miles up the coast as the crow flies. But that was before hey built the beautiful cable bridge from Honfluer to Le Havre. To get to Le Havre in on my bike and without the ferry you had to go down the Seine about 20 miles to the last bridge cross it and go back up to Le Have, about a 45-50 mile detour, The first time I went on a ride to Le Havre with some teammates, i expected and hour and a half ride, four and a has hours later I was still riding. Luckily I stopped in La Have and ate.
As you know most of France and even most of Northern Europe is above the highest latitude in the US. Le Havre is at 49 degrees and is above all big cities in the US and Canada with the exception of Alaska. And while the currents from the Gulf of Mexico keep the UK and France warm for most of the winter, in the summer you have maybe 4 hours of real darkness. I remember riding my bike at 10:30 pm and it was still twilight. It was not uncommon to start a 70 mile ride or race at 5 or 6pm in France, or Belgium.
But coming from Staebeck, I’m sure Bob Bradley is well adapted to the Northern Latitudes.
As a rider from the southern Normandy, Caen Team, our “mortal enemies” were the northern Normandy Le Havre team, as these two teams were regional powerhouses. We called the Le Havre team “mudrats” for the preponderance of marshes and flooded areas behind Le Havre you’ll find at the mouth of any large river like the Seine.
I wish Bob Bradley Well, Normandy is a beautiful part of France
I lived in Normandy, on an off for two years when I competed for an French amateur cycling team (UV Caen) in ’76-77. I lived in a small town that sat directly on the Prime Meridian, Villers sur Mer, and if you went down to the beach and looked north you could see Le Havre about 18 miles up the coast as the crow flies. But that was before hey built the beautiful cable bridge from Honfluer to Le Havre. To get to Le Havre in on my bike and without the ferry you had to go down the Seine about 20 miles to the last bridge cross it and go back up to Le Have, about a 45-50 mile detour, The first time I went on a ride to Le Havre with some teammates, i expected and hour and a half ride, four and a has hours later I was still riding. Luckily I stopped in La Have and ate.
As you know most of France and even most of Northern Europe is above the highest latitude in the US. Le Havre is at 49 degrees and is above all big cities in the US and Canada with the exception of Alaska. And while the currents from the Gulf of Mexico keep the UK and France warm for most of the winter, in the summer you have maybe 4 hours of real darkness. I remember riding my bike at 10:30 pm and it was still twilight. It was not uncommon to start a 70 mile ride or race at 5 or 6pm in France, or Belgium.
But coming from Staebeck, I’m sure Bob Bradley is well adapted to the Northern Latitudes.
As a rider from the southern Normandy, Caen Team, our “mortal enemies” were the northern Normandy Le Havre team, as these two teams were regional powerhouses. We called the Le Havre team “mudrats” for the preponderance of marshes and flooded areas behind Le Havre you’ll find at the mouth of any large river like the Seine.
Most parts of France are beautiful. But it is a difficult place to integrate. I am amazed, when I watch this video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMRNbsiteJk – at how fast he just gets to work. Literally hits the ground running. Out of 20 french players I doubt 5 speak english, and there he is grabbing them and directing things. Of course his assistants translate, but for his ideas to hit home they have to be extremely clear and concise, and consistent.
That was an enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing.
Long interview here – http://www.hac-foot.com/actualite/bob-bradley-au-hac-ses-toutes-premieres-impressions.html
He did his homework, pronounces le hac pretty well