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Wednesday Kickoff: Agudelo to train with Stuttgart, Turkey axes Hiddink & more

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Photo by Brett Sarsfield/ISIphotos.com

Juan Agudelo will be the latest MLS-based U.S. men's national team player to get a training stint overseas with a top-level club.

Agudelo will be training with Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart — one of U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann's former teams — agent Ron Waxman wrote on his official Twitter account. The New York Red Bulls forward just completed a training camp with the U.S. Under-23 national team in Germany, and will evidently remain there for more offseason training.

Agudelo joins FC Dallas winger Brek Shea (Arsenal), D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid (West Brom), Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson (Manchester United) and Vancouver Whitecaps forward Omar Salgado (Fulham) as MLS players to have offseason training stints arranged with European clubs thus far.

Here are a few more stories to get your Wednesday going:

HIDDINK OUT AS TURKEY COACH

After failing to guide Turkey to the Euro 2012 finals next summer, Guus Hiddink has been relieved of his duties as head coach.

Turkey's qualification run ended on Tuesday with a 0-0 draw against Croatia in the second leg of their playoff tie. Croatia took the first leg, 3-0. Turkey finished second in its qualifying group behind Germany and finished two points clear of Belgium.

The well-traveled Hiddink, previously known for getting the most out of his unassuming teams, took over the Turkey job following the 2010 World Cup with stress put on qualifying for the Euro finals.

He has already been linked to Ajax and Chelsea as a potential sporting director for his next role.

AC MILAN WANTS DROBGA LOAN

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba could play a big role in a title race this year, but it may be happening in Serie A.

AC Milan is reportedly interested in securing Drogba on loan this winter to help make up for the absence of Antonio Cassano, who is out for the next six months after undergoing heart surgery.

Drogba, who himself is out until this weekend after having a procedure on his arm, has hardly been at the forefront of Chelsea's attack this season, playing in just seven games and scoring once. 

CHILD TO TRAIN WITH MANCHESTER UNITED

If Charlie Jackson becomes a household name in about a decade or so, then Manchester United's scouts deserve some kudos.

Jackson, a 5-year-old child, is set to train with the Premier League giants, who first spotted him two years ago. According to reports, Jackson is a Manchester City fan and was initially "mortified that he was having to train with United, but he seems to be getting over that a bit now" his father said. 

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What do you think about Agudelo's training opportunity? Where do you see Hiddink ending up next? Think Drogba would tilt the scales in AC Milan's favor? What do you make of a 5-year-old kid getting looked at by United?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Agudleo was sniffed at by Atletico Madrid and others. This is not an unoticed player like Bunbury, who still got to train during Bradley’s time.

    Not hard for promising upcoming players who are getting NT time to get to train at a decent club.

    Reply
  2. No, we don’t. Calling this a bad season is like calling “So Cold in the D” a bad song. “Bad” doesn’t even begin to describe the levels of ineptitude involved.

    Besides, Hiddink >> Backe, no matter how much you like the latter.

    Reply

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