Their director of sports say on their official site: "We've been working on a solution to the manager issue for a long time. Gregg's name has been part of that process and has grown into the name we believe the most in. LA Galaxy saw a big potential in Gregg and he could have stayed in their organization and he also had other offers in the US. But Gregg himself really wanted to come to Hammarby. He wanted the passion that exists around the football in Europe. Our impression of him as a strong and dedicated leader has really been strengthened by the talks we've had with him." He also reveal that last years assistant/caretaker manager will stay on as assistant to Gregg. This because that he knows the club and the league very well and his experience will be helpful to Berhalter. Berhalter says: "Hammarby has a proud tradition and is a club with great possibilites. I'm here to express my ideas and to get the team moving in the right direction. There is talent in this squad which we will bring out together with a winning mentality. We want to put a team on the field who are ready to win matches, that's what's most important. I'm fair and someone who you can talk to but I demand professionalism and hard work. And I will be leading by example." It's a contract for 2+1 years where Hammarby has the option to extend to the third year if the choose.
Gregg is a great guy and has did very well as an assistant coach for the Galaxy last year. He has a lot to prove and I hope he does well in his new career.
Welcome Gregg or "Groggen" his new nickname in Hammarby.. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU6EQci_d40"]This is Hammarby! - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFXpiKav2GI"]HTV: Gregg Berhalter om att ta sig an tränarposten i Hammarby - YouTube[/ame]
Gregg already sounds like a seasoned manager in that video interview. He comes across as very intelligent, diplomatic, yet realistic. I've always pegged him as a manager and I very much look forward to him flourishing and getting Hammarby back to the 1st division. I'm interested to see if he extends a hand to the US market and picks up some plyers from MLS.
This has to be some sort of "first" for an American. Or at least for someone who was born and raised in this country.
I've always liked Berhalter. Too bad he had a few too many injuries in his playing career or he would have been much more impactful than he already was on the USMNT. Classy guy and here's to him being a very successful manager in Europe! Hopefully there will be many more Americans that follow his lead to Europe in the future.
Congats to Gregg! Always liked him as he was an intelligent and committed player - attributes that will serve him well as a manager. Cool move for him and Hammarby.
Bit of Stockholm trivia for Dec 12: Sunrise 8:35am Sunset 2:48pm That's got to feel a bit different from LA. Good luck Gregg!
Think about how different Gregg Berhalter's legacy would be in American soccer if Torsten Frings' ********ing hand didn't get in the way of his shot in the 2002 World Cup.