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U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati will not run for re-election

Sunil Gulati has been the head of U.S. Soccer since 2006, and is currently in his fourth term as president. After 12 years of service and a missed World Cup, Gulati has decided not to run for re-election and will step down at the end of his term, according to ESPN on Monday.

“I spent a lot of time thinking about it, and talking about it with many people in many different positions — many of whom told me I should run,” Gulati said on Monday. “But in the end, I think the best thing for my personally, and for the federation, is to see someone new in the job.”

The decision by Gulati also will see the end with a federation that stretches three decades and covers multiple positions.

Even with the failure of seeing the United States Men’s National Team fail to make the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Gulati oversaw an incredible period of growth in the sport in the U.S. Revenues, registrations, opportunities for women, governance, and international stature are just a few of the topics that have grown under Gulati.

“Look, the general perception in the soccer community versus the people who vote in elections may be different right now,” Gulati said, referring to the various state soccer associations and administrators who will vote in the presidential election.

“But the loss to Trinidad was painful, regrettable and led to a lot of strong emotions. And to be honest, I think at this point, that’s overshadowed a lot of other things that are important. So fair or not, I accept that and think it’s time for a new person.”

Gulati still serves on FIFA Council and is the chairman of the joint U.S./Canada/Mexico bid to host the 2026 World Cup, which the United States has not done since 1994.

“I’m going to spend a lot of time over the next six months trying to win an election, and that election is to bring the 2026 World Cup here,” Gulati said of the June 13 vote by FIFA’s Congress.

Comments

  1. Take Garber with you, you are both part of a criminal cabal…while at it, take Altidore and Bradley too…USMNT will be better off if neither of those 2 ever wear the national team jersey.

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  2. I dont think he would have been elected again and he saw the writing. The bad news is that we will lose 2 months before the election and thats time wasted.

    I really want the next coach picked by the next president to be a proven, experienced coach with NO ties to the current player pool. One thats not afraid to send people home, no matter what their name or history is. One that makes EVERY player earn his spot every game. And finally not a coach that thinks the key to success is by rostering passport Americans. The first step to getting a good coach is to get a good President. Getting Sunil out of there is the first step to that

    I wish we could move the election up to the end of this month so that the new President could start finding the new coach. I think it would be great to have a new coach pick the players for camp cupcake if at all possible

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  3. Like I said before I don’t care who is the next president just as long as they put the right people in place to make the coaching and developmental decisions and don’t try and do it all by himself or herself. Get a strong and proven group of advisors whether they are American or come from abroad and try and come up with a plan that works.

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  4. I would love to know which facets of the soccer community have been encouraging him to run again. I can acknowledge that he has advanced some aspects of the sport here, and overseen some significant growth/improvements, but it is time for a change. Fresh perspective is needed to move things forwards.

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  5. LOL. yea because the new plant candidate that female President of SUM will now just take his place. Nothing will change. Michael Bradley will remain USA captain till 47 as he traffic cones his way to MLS Greatest player ever award handed to him by Don Garber at Bruce Arena’s house during a holiday party.

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  6. Awesome. From now on Altidore will be able to trap the ball, Bradley will stop killing every attack and mls will actually contribute talented players to the national team. No more of Germany’s sloppy fifths for us boys!

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