I've read two reports (one US, one Argentine) that Jose Pekerman has been selected as the new US Mens National Team coach with Fernando Clavijo as assistant coach/translator. If true, I think this is a GREAT and BOLD move by US soccer to get the program on track.
Re: Pekerman new US coach Got a link to any sources? I've been rooting for Klinsman as much because I've long been a fan, mostly during his playing days. But, this would still make me quite happy. And, its about time...I was feeling patient, but am starting to get edgy about getting someone in there now.
Re: Pekerman new US coach the goff rumor is 6 weeks old...argentine reports... well, pekerman is argentine, but he's got a major cultural adaptation to american players, and NOT speaking english will provide some communication problems.. technically, he can do the job... if JK decide NOT to do it, pekerman is a nice choice, although houllier would be a bit better....
Re: Pekerman new US coach Any links to these articles? I mean I don't really believe it until I see it but if it is true than it is a little suprising to me that Klinsmaan did not take the job and that the next choice was Pekerman. I would have liked to see Steve Nicols personally if not Klinsmaan but Pekerman is not a bad choice i guess.
Thread title edited, somewhat. Still basicaly a rumor at this stage, since neither Pekerman nor the USSF has confirmed.
Re: Pekerman new US coach one home win, on penalty kicks no less, does not make Klinsmann better. pekerman has shown himself to be a great coach over the long haul, with several STERLING highlights and trophies. Klinsmann, who I would not be upset about hiring, essentially has one home tournament under his belt, with a team that even the German people (including yourself bltleo) have stated was getting most of their coaching from the then-assistant.
Here is the link to the US paper (La Opinion, a VERY well respected L.A. Spanish Language Daily): http://www.laopinion.com/deportes/?rkey=00000000000000769680 and here is the link to the Argentine paper (InfoBAE, which I am not as familiar with): http://www.infobae.com/notas/nota.php?Idx=287023&IdxSeccion=100795 ALSO, here is a link to a Yahoo sports article on the subject: http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=usapekerman&prov=st&type=lgns
Not just Gulati, but what is posted above appears to be three credible sources, especially La Opinion. Klinsmann was my first choice, too -- but Pekerman wouldn't be a bad "1-A" choice. Especially given his track record with younger players and youth development. Which at this stage, it's really what's needed. And it sounds like Klinsmann's insistence to bring in his own assistant coaches will be a big sticking point, moreso than the money, it appears.
Knee jerk reaction, pissed off. I had my heart set on JK. I wonder if Peckerman decided to "play ball" in the good ole boy organization that is the USSF.
Pekerman has absolutely the wrong personality to work with American players. If he is national coach, it will be an unqualified disaster. And unqualified disasters we could get for much less with Sampson or Arena
this is the best hiring they could make... i said it months ago... I didnt even think Pekerman would even consider this job... I know people love Klinsmann and wanted him to be manager... but Pekerman has done much more than Klinsmann has in his career... and I believe outmanaged Klinsman for most of their encounter, until he decided to not bring in Messi (which again can be slightly excused because of the keeper issue)... this is a brillant hire...
With Copa America coming up and the benefits of a strong showing many, how much do you think Peckerman's knowledge of South American soccer helped him? Of course, that's assuming that this actually happens.
Ives Galarcep comments on the rumor in his blog: http://njmg.typepad.com/sbi/2006/11/the_pekerman_bu.html
La Opinion is a rag that makes up quotes and makes lots of mistakes.. The other articles are based on the La Opinion article so they mean nothing either...While Pekerman may become the USA coach, using this article has no bearing at all on if that will or will not happen...
Pekerman isn't a bad choice, but I was unimpressed with him tactically during the World Cup. I feel like he was the main reason why Argentina lost to Germany. Also, I'm aware that he won several Youth World Cups, but I'd rather win an actual World Cup. Personally, I was hoping for Steve Nicol. I know that he was a long shot who would never be hired, but I think a person who is more familiar with the US Soccer system would be better.
I hope I'm wrong -- but I think Peckerman will be a disaster that makes you all pine for Bruce Arena. If Peckerman gets the job. BTW -- Has a world cup winner ever had a foreign coach?