From Taylor Twellman tonight: Fully expect Bruce Arena to be named in at least one capacity if not BOTH capacities of GM/Coach for #NERevs this week. Stay tuned. #MLS— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 13, 2019
As much as I dislike Arena's personality, he brings the gravitas needed to pull this franchise up from it's current laughingstock status.
It's official. #NERevs name Bruce Arena Sporting Director and Head Coachhttps://t.co/PyIN2TT8Xw pic.twitter.com/LDEHwO0ZCD— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 14, 2019
As long as the Revs play in a large morgue, with football lines, a coffee stained rug and a starvation diet financially, it makes little difference.
True, but there's still that 10% deep down inside of me that hopes that this is an indication of a change in mentality from the Krafts. We've seen them spend on a training facility, they've been rumored to have been willing to spend good money on a DP, and now they're likely to be paying decent money to a coach. Who knows, maybe this is the start of a bigger change...
I have to say, I am shocked but in a pleasant way. I have met Bruce and came away thinking, "what an arrogant SOB!" That said in MLS he is a winner in basically everything he has touched. Lets hope there is still some magic left in him as this may be his biggest challenge yet, Coaching the players and schooling the FO
The interesting to me is he was named "Sporting Director" Is this just because he likes the way that title sounds as opposed to GM, or will the front office be totally restructured? Will he have all of Burns' portfolio of responsibilities or just some of them? Either way, the last few days gives me that feeling that maybe, just maybe, this organization was just so beat down , so rock bottom, that the Krafts finally decided to make a run at fixing things. With Bruce Arena, I think maybe the Revs will not be given the middle finger by every valid they try to sign. That, and winning, are the first steps to turning things around. It wouldn't shock me if a mega DP comes along this summer. The Kraft's know they need to make a number of big moves to salvage their reputation and right this ship. Maybe they are even concerned that, when Bill and Tom inevitably leave in the next 1-3 years, the situation the Revs are in may have given people pause to come to the Pats. Either way, this week is the first time, in at least a decade, that their was even a glimmer of hope for this franchise.
I, too, wonder exactly what the roles & responsibilities are for the front office. Burns is still there, no idea why, but I gotta believe Arena will be given a great deal of responsibility and hopefully reduces Burns'a ability to do anything.
Well, even if Arena ends up being our Parcells, we know we have a Belichick to look forward to down the line....
Just saw that Burns has been fired!!! https://www.revolutionsoccer.net/post/2019/05/13/revolution-part-ways-general-manager-michael-burns Christmas in May!!! There are no emojis with large enough smiles!!!
From Kraft: “Bruce is one of the most successful coaches in American soccer history, and we feel his commitment to excellence, track record of winning championships in Major League Soccer, as well as his success at the international level, makes him the best person to bring the Revolution back to MLS Cup contention," Revolution Investor/Operator Robert Kraft said in a statement. "We have known Bruce dating back to the advent of MLS, and we have full confidence that he will raise the level of our club to the standard we all expect and demand.” Seems like there was no demand or where there standards over the past 10 years
I hope the different budget has him looking in different places for players.. If its anything like he was in LA..they will win all home games and lose all road games... Its an improvement, now lets hope the new stadium rumor is true too
Arena doesn't come here if he doesn't have a promise of an open checkbook. Kraft was going to spend $14 million on M'Poku (not to mention a succession of million dollar defenders) - Kraft is clearly coming around to spending money. With Arena rather than Burns making the phone calls, I think that money will be spent more effectively. This is a great sign. My worries are 1) Arena won't have time to do both jobs well 2) Arena's tactics remain stuck in the Stone Age including his disregard of analytics Both could be addressed by who he hires as his assistants
I would think the first thing he does is put the players on notice that they are playing for their job. Guys like Agudelo, Fagundez and Bunbury will need to give consistent efforts in order to keep their place on this team. I have a feeling that there will be a house cleaning come November
But does he have the endorsement of Coach K? Sorry, had to get one last shot in before I give up my NNN ways and welcome in this new era. To quote Ebenezer Scrooge: "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody!"
As the 8th Revolution coach and the only one, that I recall, to have an additional higher title, is he “the one cut.” Do you need to change your license plate to MX8 CX1?
I did briefly consider starting a “Is Bruce Arena bad at his job?” thread in anticipation of its inevitable need, but decided it could wait until he’s at least had a full day at work....