By CAITLIN MURRAY
Jurgen Klinsmann is bringing in some help for the upcoming World Cup and moving a long-time assistant out of the fold.
Berti Vogts will join the U.S. Men’s National Team as a special adviser and Under-20 men’s coach Tab Ramos will replace assistant coach Martin Vasquez, who will transition “to other responsibilities within U.S. Soccer,” the federation announced Sunday.
Vogts, a former defender for the German national team that won the World Cup in 1974, has extensive international experience. He coached Germany for eight years beginning in 1990, followed by Kuwait, Scotland and Nigeria. He is currently manager of the Azerbaijan national team, a role he will continue while assisting Klinsmann through the 2014 World Cup.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have Berti join us as an adviser,” Klinsmann said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a player and a coach, and he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. He was my coach for Germany in the 1990s and we have a great relationship. Through his time as the head coach of Scotland, Nigeria and Azerbaijan, he is obviously very familiar with our opponents in the group stage of the World Cup and, for us, this is a huge bonus.”
In the adviser role, Vogts will “aid in the development of training plans, help prepare scouting reports, and travel to observe matches of the USA’s opponents in the lead-up to the tournament and in Brazil,” according to U.S. Soccer.
Ramos has led the U-20 team since 2011 and last year took on the responsibilities of youth technical director, as well. He has 81 caps for the USMNT.
Vasquez has worked with Klinsmann since the German took over as USMNT coach in August 2011 and before that served as Klinsmann’s assistant at Bayern Munich until Klinsmann was dismissed in 2009. Vasquez was head coach of Chivas USA for one season in 2010.
“As we move toward the World Cup,” Klinsmann said, “we are shifting some responsibilities within the technical staff that we believe will put individuals in areas of strength and provide us with the best opportunity to be successful.”
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What do you think of this shake up? Is it a good thing Klinsmann is changing up his coaching staff now? Do you like that he looking for outside help? Think Vogts and Ramos will help?
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