Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
U.S. Soccer has decided to promote from within to replace Claudio Reyna as the U.S. National Team youth technical director.
President Sunil Gulati announced on Tuesday evening that current U.S. Under-20 head coach Tab Ramos has been appointed to the position and will balance those duties along with his U-20 job. In his new position, Ramos “will oversee the long-term strategies for development of both coaches and players at the youth level in the United States” and will “work closely with U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and the other youth national team head coaches.”
“Tab’s combined knowledge and experience with youth players and the National Team program made him an ideal candidate for this position,” Gulati said in a statement to U.S. Soccer. “Along with an impressive playing career, Tab has built a notable reputation as a coach, starting at the youth club level and now with the Under-20 Men’s National Team. We’re extremely pleased to have him oversee our Youth National Team programs as we continue our goal of improving the development of our young players.”
Ramos is currently with the U-20s in Italy as they embark on an eleven-day camp. It’s the first camp for the next cycle of players, and Ramos has them set to play three friendly matches while they are in Italy, against the Hellas Verona U20s, the Iranian U-20 squad, and another opponent to be named later. The New Jersey-raised former USMNT star took the U-20 head coaching job in 2011, and has a USSF “A” level coaching license.
“Tab is the ideal person to fulfill this very important role,” Klinsmann said. “He’s been with the Senior National Team on a regular basis in order to understand our holistic approach and be able to spread the messages through our Youth National Teams as well the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Bringing Tab on as Youth Technical Director is an important step to continue connecting the dots between all areas of player development, including coaching education, parent education, the college game and our grass roots.”
The position of youth technical director opened when Reyna became MLS expansion side New York City FC’s first hire as the director of football.
————-
What do you think of this news? Like the appointment of Ramos to Youth Technical Director? How do you see him influencing the national team program?
Share your thoughts below.