Bradley Gets the Sack!
Wow! Although the U.S. effort in the Gold Cup was underwhelming, I didn't see this one coming. After all, the U.S. made it into the Round of 16 last summer and were defeated by a far superior Mexican side this summer in the Gold Cup. I know that Pele expected us to win the 2010 World Cup - but did anyone else? Sure, I questioned some of Bradley's selection and tactical choices over the years but I would argue that U.S. soccer's weaknesses are far more profound than just a question of who's in the hot seat. More information about the Bradley sacking here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14335698.stm
Your thoughts, gentlemen?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 4:50 PM
7 Comments:
He simply didn't get the results that I'm sure the US Fed told him that they'd judge him upon.
Namely, capitalize on Mexico's disastrous Sven period, and develop a new crop of strikers that could replace Brian McBride. True, Davies injuries spelled disaster on that front, but relying on Altidore when even Phil Brown wouldn't give him a game at Hull, and Eddie Johnson, ditto at Fulham, and others clearly not international class like Findlay and Wondolowski, all of that jus was indicative of how few answers he had.
I'd have sacked him for his overly defensive alignments alone. We've beaten this horse stone dead, but 2 defensive midfielder/water carriers against the behemouths of the CONCACAF?
Seeing us absolutely shelled in the Gold Cup must have finally made up the US Fed's mind that he had to go.
It'll be interesting to see if Sunil and co have decided to abide by Juergen's conditions of a free role in team selection, fixtures, development, and tactics. That condition proved too big a pill to swallow when the US Fed went after Juergen before and that's how we got more Coach B than he really deserved.
I didn't see this coming even though I have never been a fan of Coach B. I am not sure why Sunil and Co feel they need to determine team selection when they have no coaching experience. They are not football people, they are businessmen who think they are. If you hire someone to coach a national team then shouldn't he be qualified to have free role in team selection. That should be true whether it is Jurgen or an American. To be honest I thought the results were creditable, with the exception of the Gold Cup. The final of the Confeds Cup and the Round of 16 in the World Cup are nothing to sneeze at. I do agree with Gooner that Coach B;s tactics were far too negative and we should be attacking the minnows of Concacaf. So the million dollar questions are who will be the next manager of the U.S. national team and will he get a free role in team selection. The answers to those questions determine whether or not U.S. football moves forward. I wonder if the unusually poor showing by MLS teams, especially the mauling by United against the ALL Stars, was too much to take. I guess Sunil's philosophy is that the manager is not just responsible for team selection, but for the state of U.S. football as well. I guess the 4-0 defeat was the straw that broke the camel's back. I wonder if MLS teams are expected to be more competitive too.
I think you're absolutely right, MUR. It was no coincidence that the Bradley sacking came on the heels of a number of disappointing results for MLS sides against foreign opposition.
Klinsmann is the new manager!
Yes, indeed. Here's the announcement from US Soccer:
http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Mens-National-Team/2011/07/Klinsmann-Named-Head-Coach-of-US-MNT.aspx
Thoughts?
Who knows how this will play out? Mexico is a farcical match for him to begin with. Whatever the result, I'm reasonably excited about this choice.
It's about time! We finally have a first class manager. I never thought I would see this day.
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