View Full Version : Do we really need an American Coach for the USMNT
Rafavic
22 Dec 2006, 02:29 PM
It should not be an American or current MLS coach getting this spot. We need a coach who has coached in the toughest competition possible. This does not necessarily mean they have to come from Europe as there are quality coaches in SA that could provide flair to our program. I just feel that the USSF is comfortable w/a coach that has intimate knowledge with our flawed system. It does not have to be KP but just a foreign coach w/experience. Our current coaching pool members should be told if you want to even sniff the USMNT Coach job you need to have coached and won at the highest levels of soccer.
Adam Zebrowski
22 Dec 2006, 02:46 PM
bradley is an interim thus far...
ussf expressed major intentions to get an international guy, and gulati still insists he's pursuing that guy...
the JK rejection screwed up their game plan...
bradley is needed for denmark and mexico, and possible for ecuador and quatemala in march too...
schmuckatelli
22 Dec 2006, 03:02 PM
It should not be an American or current MLS coach getting this spot. We need a coach who has coached in the toughest competition possible. This does not necessarily mean they have to come from Europe as there are quality coaches in SA that could provide flair to our program. I just feel that the USSF is comfortable w/a coach that has intimate knowledge with our flawed system. It does not have to be KP but just a foreign coach w/experience. Our current coaching pool members should be told if you want to even sniff the USMNT Coach job you need to have coached and won at the highest levels of soccer.
What the US needs is the best available coach who understands US Soccer. This is not UEFA, this is not CONMEBOL, and circumstances in the US are different than many other soccer-playing countries. That is why Juergen Klinsmann was an attractive candidate to many US supporters: because he was in the US long enough to know/understand the landscape. Pekerman, on the other hand, has never set foot on US soil, to my knowledge, and has no idea of the setup. He is probably an outstanding soccer coach, but he would have a great many hurdles (communication being not the least of them) to overcome. On the other hand, if Hiddink, who has played in the US, or Beenhaaker, who has coached in CONCACAF, were available, they would have been excellent choices.
But, no we don't need an American coach. We just need one who makes sense.
Rafavic
22 Dec 2006, 03:28 PM
bradley is an interim thus far...
ussf expressed major intentions to get an international guy, and gulati still insists he's pursuing that guy...
the JK rejection screwed up their game plan...
bradley is needed for denmark and mexico, and possible for ecuador and quatemala in march too...
But with Nowak being brought on would it make sense that Gulati is closer to removing the "intrium" tag. I know I would never leave a club like DCU to be a intrium assistant coach for the national team. If Nowak were at a bad MLS club then that's something different.
Rafavic
22 Dec 2006, 03:38 PM
What the US needs is the best available coach who understands US Soccer. This is not UEFA, this is not CONMEBOL, and circumstances in the US are different than many other soccer-playing countries. That is why Juergen Klinsmann was an attractive candidate to many US supporters: because he was in the US long enough to know/understand the landscape. Pekerman, on the other hand, has never set foot on US soil, to my knowledge, and has no idea of the setup. He is probably an outstanding soccer coach, but he would have a great many hurdles (communication being not the least of them) to overcome. On the other hand, if Hiddink, who has played in the US, or Beenhaaker, who has coached in CONCACAF, were available, they would have been excellent choices.
But, no we don't need an American coach. We just need one who makes sense.
But Hiddink to my knowledge never played in Russia, South Korea or Down Under but was able to get results. He was able to take the post and grasp the landscape quickly enough to put together a winner. Knowledge of our system should not be a requirement. As long as you have proven that you can win at the highest level in the sport you should be considered.
Fulham South
22 Dec 2006, 11:33 PM
Of course we need an American coach - no team has ever won the world cup with a foreign coach. :D
My vote is still for Houllier. . . but i'm willing to give Bradley his chance to win the job.
sidefootsitter
22 Dec 2006, 11:51 PM
What the US needs is the best available coach who understands US Soccer... A smart coach who has never set his foot on American soil and never seen MLS, US Nats and the U-20's ... in other words, someone who had lived in some deserted spot for the last ten years, would need an afternoon with a video tape (or a PC and a stack of DVD's, to being him to the 21st Century) to give a quality assessment about what needs to be done.
england66
22 Dec 2006, 11:56 PM
IMO American coaches can do the job and I believe Klinsmann learned a lot from American trainers while in California, he employed them, against opposition from Beckenbauer and his ilk and had success. American coaches, I believe are more open minded to new ideas and methods, are ahead of the game in thinking "outside the box" and will achieve success with the national team. I hope and expect Bradley to build on the Bruces impact.
Bigrose30
23 Dec 2006, 07:27 AM
What we really needed was for someone to rock the boat a little, in my opinion.
Do you think Bradley will do it? In the short term, his "interim" tag says no. In the long term, his "Crash-Davis-school-of-the-sports-cliche-interview" style hints at no as well, but is rather inconclusive.
Why do I have a feeling the "interim tag" might be extended until a lot closer to the olympics?
Anyway, here's an idea. Perhaps understanding the "American System" isn't always a good thing. Bruce understood it, criticized it openly, and defintiely got put in his place for it a few times. Bradley certainly understands it, and knows that trying to change anything that is rooted too deep will result in nothing good for him.
Perhaps someone who doesn't understand it could offer a kind of unabated perspective, and not let the worry of any possible backlash inhibit him from being completly honest in his assesments. Of course, it'll also have to be someone with either the gravitas or the resume to be able to stand on his own feet against the USSF. Klinnsman had the former, maybe it's time to look for the latter.
All vague, I know. But my brain is fried from work. Gimme a break.
USINEU
23 Dec 2006, 10:34 AM
Get used to it. SG said he wanted a coach with int'l experience, etc. But, after the 6 month search, USMNT did not get it. Why should we believe SG again - that the search is on? I like BB, and wish him well. But after the fallout with JK, I can't see many others like JP or CQ wanting to get involved.
Adam Zebrowski
23 Dec 2006, 11:25 AM
nowak was hired, as BOTH full squad and u-23 assistant coach....
while this could signal BRADLEY will become PERMANENT, if gulati gets houllier or some other bigger name, the u-23 gig becomes their priority...
i smell bradley and nowak remaining assistants on the full team too...
perhaps this process was what Klinsmann disliked, having ussf dictate assistant jobs...
i do prefer, and experience world cup finals coach...can we say hiddink, be the guy at a world cup finals, as bradley and nowak are essentially learning things a hiddink type already comprehend.....
bradley can get usa thru the hex, but after that who knows....
do you go with a rookie, or some veteran who makes the critical choices CORRECTLY
offtheheezie
24 Dec 2006, 09:47 AM
I think it's all part of the package for the new coach. Bradley and Nowak are all excellent coaches and have proved themselves at the MLS level. With a new coach coming in, he'll already have a good staff with Bradley and Nowak there.
I like the Hiddink idea but what about Sven Erikkson? He's a good coach who got a little unlucky at England and I think could build this team up. I doubt that we'll sign anyone before the MLS season which could also cause some problems but I hope the person hired is someone who all the fans can trust and work with.
it boils down to the talent on the field ppl. We can bring in Jose, Hiddink,Capello, or whoever..its not going to matter much if we dont have the talent to go along with their minds.
the best we can hope for is for Bradley to hold down the fort and gain us some respect while we get our youth system in order (ie: when all MLS teams get youth programs)
Papin
24 Dec 2006, 06:45 PM
it boils down to the talent on the field ppl. We can bring in Jose, Hiddink,Capello, or whoever..its not going to matter much if we dont have the talent to go along with their minds.
the best we can hope for is for Bradley to hold down the fort and gain us some respect while we get our youth system in order (ie: when all MLS teams get youth programs)
A-freakin'-men! To borrow from politics: It's the players, stupid!
This country's youth development system is what will push us to the next level in world soccer, not our senior team's head coach. We're starting to see more and more young talent coming through the ranks, but I believe we're going to have to wait until all the MLS youth teams have been up and running for at least decade or so before we see enough experienced and skilled youngsters to develop a consistently strong senior side. Bradenton and ODP just ain't enough.
Rafavic
24 Dec 2006, 07:01 PM
A-freakin'-men! To borrow from politics: It's the players, stupid!
This country's youth development system is what will push us to the next level in world soccer, not our senior team's head coach. We're starting to see more and more young talent coming through the ranks, but I believe we're going to have to wait until all the MLS youth teams have been up and running for at least decade or so before we see enough experienced and skilled youngsters to develop a consistently strong senior side. Bradenton and ODP just ain't enough.
But in the meantime I'd rather have the best coach available for the moment. With the building of the acadamies the youth side will improve. But for now what are we to say to the Dempesy's, Keller's and LD's of the world, "Sorry but you were just born to early." If we show by example that we want the best coach available when the youth catch up there will hopefully be a experienced coach in place on the NT who will take those players and US Soccer to the next level. Not to say that this will happen over night but if the coaching is in place the rest will take care of itself with time.
cheesey anaology in 5,4,3,2,1.....
Molto Mario cant cook you a 5 star dinner if you dont give him the proper groceries
Klecko
26 Dec 2006, 02:25 PM
But Hiddink to my knowledge never played in Russia, South Korea or Down Under but was able to get results. He was able to take the post and grasp the landscape quickly enough to put together a winner. Knowledge of our system should not be a requirement. As long as you have proven that you can win at the highest level in the sport you should be considered.
I just thought this post bore repeating.
I have been in favor of a coach from "outside the system," so that no favors would be due to any player or coach. In addition, a fresh view could be taken on USSF.
Instead, Sunil gave us "Arena Lite."
Adam Zebrowski
26 Dec 2006, 02:32 PM
ussf didn't want some one coming in and telling them what to do...
ussf sees itself as boss...
the usmnt head coach as employee...
any employee who tells the boss what to do, well, that can be dangerous...
that's the problem here, reforming ussf, when it sees no need to get itself reformed....
PsychedelicCeltic
26 Dec 2006, 05:45 PM
I just thought this post bore repeating.
I have been in favor of a coach from "outside the system," so that no favors would be due to any player or coach. In addition, a fresh view could be taken on USSF.
Instead, Sunil gave us "Arena Lite."
Frankly I would prefer someone not familiar with the "American system", because I have severe doubts the American system is even worth getting familiar with.
deron
26 Dec 2006, 06:10 PM
ussf didn't want some one coming in and telling them what to do...
ussf sees itself as boss...
the usmnt head coach as employee...
any employee who tells the boss what to do, well, that can be dangerous...
that's the problem here, reforming ussf, when it sees no need to get itself reformed....
I have serious doubts about the virtue of having a coach running the USSF. I have doubts about the USSF telling the coach what to do. I also am awaiting evidence that this happens.
The USSF needs reform and always will, which is hardly saying anything. It is a bureaucracy. It certainly isn't unique among it's international peers in this regard.
The premise of this thread is somewhat silly. Do we really need an American coach. No. On the other side of the coin we don't need a foreign coach just to have a foreign coach.