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| US Soccer confirms Bruce Arena will replace Jürgen Klinsmann US Soccer confirms Bruce Arena will replace Jürgen Klinsmann | |
| (17 days later) | |
| Bruce Arena has been confirmed as the new coach of the US national team. The LA Galaxy coach replaces Jürgen Klinsmann, who was fired on Monday. | Bruce Arena has been confirmed as the new coach of the US national team. The LA Galaxy coach replaces Jürgen Klinsmann, who was fired on Monday. |
| Arena, widely regarded as one of the best coaches in American history, returns for his second spell as national team boss, having taken charge of USA between 1998 and 2006. He will take up his new role on 1 December. | Arena, widely regarded as one of the best coaches in American history, returns for his second spell as national team boss, having taken charge of USA between 1998 and 2006. He will take up his new role on 1 December. |
| Sunil Gulati, the president of US Soccer, said in a statement: “When we considered the possible candidates to take over the men’s national team at this time, Bruce was at the top of the list. His experience at the international level, understanding of the requirements needed to lead a team through World Cup qualifying, and proven ability to build a successful team were all aspects we felt were vital for the next coach. | Sunil Gulati, the president of US Soccer, said in a statement: “When we considered the possible candidates to take over the men’s national team at this time, Bruce was at the top of the list. His experience at the international level, understanding of the requirements needed to lead a team through World Cup qualifying, and proven ability to build a successful team were all aspects we felt were vital for the next coach. |
| “We all know Bruce will be fully committed to preparing the players for the next eight qualifying games and earning a berth to an eighth-straight World Cup in Russia.” | “We all know Bruce will be fully committed to preparing the players for the next eight qualifying games and earning a berth to an eighth-straight World Cup in Russia.” |
| The 65-year-old Arena guided USA to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, where they lost narrowly to Germany, but fell out of favor after they failed to progress from the group stage at the 2006 tournament – and it was Gulati who fired him on that occasion. | The 65-year-old Arena guided USA to the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, where they lost narrowly to Germany, but fell out of favor after they failed to progress from the group stage at the 2006 tournament – and it was Gulati who fired him on that occasion. |
| Arena said on Tuesday: “Any time you get the opportunity to coach the national team it’s an honor. I’m looking forward to working with a strong group of players that understand the challenge in front of them after the first two games of the Hex. Working as a team, I’m confident that we’ll take the right steps forward to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.” | Arena said on Tuesday: “Any time you get the opportunity to coach the national team it’s an honor. I’m looking forward to working with a strong group of players that understand the challenge in front of them after the first two games of the Hex. Working as a team, I’m confident that we’ll take the right steps forward to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.” |
| The new man in charge leaves LA Galaxy after a successful spell where he won the MLS Cup three times. The federation reportedly negotiated with the Galaxy for some hours on Monday to secure Arena’s release from a two-year contract extension he signed earlier this year. | The new man in charge leaves LA Galaxy after a successful spell where he won the MLS Cup three times. The federation reportedly negotiated with the Galaxy for some hours on Monday to secure Arena’s release from a two-year contract extension he signed earlier this year. |
| Arena has also coached international stars such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Landon Donovan. He made his name as a winning college coach at the University of Virginia, and became the first coach of DC United in MLS’s inaugural season. He won two MLS titles in Washington before replacing Steve Sampson as national team manager. | Arena has also coached international stars such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Landon Donovan. He made his name as a winning college coach at the University of Virginia, and became the first coach of DC United in MLS’s inaugural season. He won two MLS titles in Washington before replacing Steve Sampson as national team manager. |
| His appointment is likely to be welcomed by MLS players. Arena has made little secret of his preference for homegrown talent, in contrast to Klinsmann’s inclusion of German-born Americans. “I believe an American should be coaching the national team. I think the majority of the national team should come out of Major League Soccer,” Arena told the New York Times in 2014. “The people that run our governing body think we need to copy what everyone else does, when in reality, our solutions will ultimately come from our culture.” | His appointment is likely to be welcomed by MLS players. Arena has made little secret of his preference for homegrown talent, in contrast to Klinsmann’s inclusion of German-born Americans. “I believe an American should be coaching the national team. I think the majority of the national team should come out of Major League Soccer,” Arena told the New York Times in 2014. “The people that run our governing body think we need to copy what everyone else does, when in reality, our solutions will ultimately come from our culture.” |
| However, on Tuesday, Arena sought to clarify that he was open to players from all backgrounds. “As a starting point with dual nationals, one of my favorite players in my previous eight years with the USMNT is Earnie Stewart,” he said. | However, on Tuesday, Arena sought to clarify that he was open to players from all backgrounds. “As a starting point with dual nationals, one of my favorite players in my previous eight years with the USMNT is Earnie Stewart,” he said. |
| Arena has the best winning percentage of any long-term USA coach. During his first spell in charge, he won 71 of his 130 games, and guided his team to two Gold Cup titles, in 2002 and 2005. That winning mentality will come in useful: the US are currently bottom of their qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup, after defeats to Mexico and Costa Rica earlier this month. | Arena has the best winning percentage of any long-term USA coach. During his first spell in charge, he won 71 of his 130 games, and guided his team to two Gold Cup titles, in 2002 and 2005. That winning mentality will come in useful: the US are currently bottom of their qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup, after defeats to Mexico and Costa Rica earlier this month. |
| But Arena’s team should still make the cut for Russia, with easier fixtures to come when qualification resumes next year. If they fail to do so, Arena will lose his job again. | But Arena’s team should still make the cut for Russia, with easier fixtures to come when qualification resumes next year. If they fail to do so, Arena will lose his job again. |