When Reading failed in its bid to return to the English Premier League it was assumed that Marcus Hahnemann's days in the EPL were over.
So much for that.
The American goalkeeper, who turned 37 on Monday, has joined newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer and is projected to be the team's back-up goalkeeper behind starter Wayne Hennessey.
What do you think of this move? Happy to have another American in the EPL? Where you hoping he would wind up in MLS? Think he can unseat Hennessey for the starting job?
Share your thoughts below.
come back and play for the union. more US stars playing in the MLS. we need the leadership.
He will soon be the starter
Anyone who thinks this is a bad more for him doesn’t know much about the game. If he came back to MLS, he’d have to travel more and work harder for a LOT less money. With Wolves, he’ll probably be getting a significant increase in pay and his travel will be limited to that tiny little island. I’m sure he’ll be trying his best to take the #1 spot and extend his stay with Wolves. If not, then he’ll come back and play in MLS and draw a nice retirement check.
He was a fan favorite at Reading because he’s such a nice guy. He would take off his jersey and give it to a fan after every game. When Reading told him they couldn’t afford for him to keep doing it, he told them to take it out of his check and he kept giving his jerseys away.
I was sad to see Reading relegated and I’m glad he’s on to a better club with more ambition.
Go Wolves!
American #3 > Welsh #1.
His age is what works against him.
Still, I think this is a good move, and he’ll have an opportunity to play some.
Another American on the bench not getting playing time… not the greatest move imo. Makes sense from a Wolves perspective to have an experience goalie come in and tutor Hennessey. Would of liked to see Marcus return to the championship league and be a #1 goalie
Good for him- he will get paid at least 3 times as much as he would have got coming home and on a promoted squad the position will be open to change quite quickly.
that aside tho… a player near the end of his career, most likely done with national team efforts should be playing in the MLS. when our teams have the correct finances…
I thought he would be a great addition to an MLS club and raise the level of play but his time will come back in the MLS.
Don’t know Wayne Hennessey, but given what I have seen of English keepers I would be surprised if Marcus isn’t the starter before too long.
Come back to the MLS Hahnamann. We want to see you playing on the pitch in the states.
As a long time Wolves supporter, I told the paper in Wolverhampton last month that there could be a great marketing opportunity as American fans may flock to the team (a la Fulham) if they get some Americans. So far Wolves management is listening, with the Gooch interest and now Marcus signing. Of course winning will be key, and I think they’ll have the squad to stay up this time around…Sylvan Ebanks Blake is the bloke!!!
He will be the starter at some point during the season. Seems from reading about Reading this year he kept them in the hunt for promotion after the team seemingly fogot how to score goals. They released him because he is prem quality/cost and there is no doubt he will have starts.
I think Marcus can get the job. If Mick’s smart, he knows he’ll need a solid veteran presence in the back to help his team stay up…
Marcus was a very serviceable PL keeper when he had help.
Happy for Marcus.
But from what else I’ve read it sounds like he will strictly be there to mentor the younger keepers. But if Wolves get desperate for points (which they will) I hope to see Marcus start some matches and prove that he’s still got the ability to start in the top flight.
Hennessey is 22, a full Welsh international and has been considered one of the top goalkeepers in the Championship the past two seasons. That being said, he was dropped for an extended stretch last season by Mick McCarthy after Wolves lost heavily to Reading. It’s quite possible Hahnemann has been brought in to tutor Hennessey and provide some competition. Given that Wolves are likely to be hammered a few times next season, McCarthy could be looking to protect the fragile, young psyche of one of the clubs most valuable assets. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Marcus win an extended run in the first team. Obviously he’d like to have found a club where he could enjoy regular first team football, but outside of MLS, the market for 37 year olds isn’t particularly strong.
I love the Wolves patch/logo, its really different and simple… doesnt have antying to do with this but thought i would just say it… good for Hahnemann though, and good for US viewers it seems we get more EPL games than other leagues
I still think Wolves may get Gooch, unless Wolves get Mancienne on loan again from Chelsea. I also want them to try to sign Landon Donovan, but his price tag may be too high.
Having to beat out a gk on a team that will probably get relegated isn’t anything we should be getting excited about.
Congrats to him on finding a job, but I doubt we see him in South Africa now.
Speaking of Hahnemann, has Guzan shaved his head yet?
I believe Hahnemann and Guzan (and perhaps a 3rd keeper) will rotate the group games in the Gold Cup.
WOW. Shocking headline. I hope he does well there. They have a very good team.
Who’s next to the Wolves, Gooch?
He’s still got a few years in England and then he can come back to MLS. I bet Keller could play another 4 years in MLS if he wants.
This move just made Luis Robles the #3 for the National Team.
Good move for him. He is an EPL caliber keeper. I don’t know how good the guy starting in front of him is, but Hahneman has the experience and ability to start. I hope Bob calls him up for the Gold Cup (I think that was the plan all along) amd he secures his slot for the World Cup.
I think this is a step backwards for him. Why does he need to beat out players for starting roles with his background and experience?
I don’t think hahnemann would have taken it unless he thought that he could get the starting job. From what I hear, there was lots of interest in him, particularly in the Championship league and I don’t think he is a guy who wants to warm the bench.
There was an article on him yesterday in the Reading Evening Post where he says that playing for Wolves is important to his desire to make the World Cup team next year.
VOTE FOR AMERICA AGAINST A HATER
http://www.fannation.com/throwdowns/show/353320-usa-national-team-will-beat-italy-when-they-are-finally-full-strength?category_id=7
VOTE FOR AMERICA AGAINST A HATER
Great move by both Hahnemann and Wolves. I’m glad to see it for both of them. NM
This news made me quite happy. I’ve been a fan of both Wolves and Reading for a number of years and was sad to see Marcus not be asked back to Reading. He was very loyal to them and I thought they’d want to keep him on until he retired.
He’s a quality shot stopper but will need to work on his composure against corners and his distribution to take the #1 at Wolves. I wish him the best and can’t wait to see him playing in the prem again.
that job is hahnemann’s… i give it until december
Good move for Hahnemann and for Wolves. While Hennessey is the likely #1, he has never played in the PL and Hahnemann provides a reliable veteran presence in-case Hennessey isn’t up for it. Hennessey was actually benched for a time this past season after a run of poor games; so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Hahnemann could see some time.
It should also be mentioned that Hennessey is the guy keeping Boaz Myhill from taking the Welsh GK job.
Think he can beat out Hennessey for starting position; Glad he will be in the EPL and………….Bob Bradley……..if he remains healthy, and plays for the Wolves, he should be Howard’s back-up. It really is a crime that Hahnemann has been essentially ignored for 4 years while playing at the highest levels of English football. This is his last chance.
Wonder if he’ll come back and play for Portland when this stint is over! Be nice for him to get back to the Pacific Northwest.
Glad he is going back up to the Premiure League and Yes he can beat out Wayne Hennessey. All it take is a chance and for him to be hot. Hahnemann’s got the ability to do well for a team in the EPL now hopefully Wolverhampton can get hot and stay up for a couple of years.