I was expect fulham to keep dempsey if bbradley takes over. honestly i think this process is slowing down dempsey's other potential suitors. the sooner fulham finds a coach the much better
I don't really care if Bradley ends up at Fulham specifically, but I would like to see him get an opportunity somewhere in Europe. To be honest, I wouldn't be against him eventually coaching the U.S. again at some point, especially if he learns some new tricks over in the old country.
I've heard that Bob is flying to London to try on the Fulham sweats for the press, then he'll immediately fly to Man City and take the helm there. Remember, you heard it here first.
Half of the coaches were wearing suits but also looked like they just woke up from all night benders. Shirt wrinkled, cuffs undone, tie askew. Hell even Maradonna looked like he bought his suits at Burlington Coat Factory. I'll take someone wearing a warm up suit over that any day.
Tony Pulis - oddly enough - always wears a tracksuit and ball cap during games, and then switches to a suit for interviews. O'neill, Moyes, Coyle, hardly ever wears one either...Zolan didn't either (odd for an Italian, IYAM)...not that I want Bob doing anything like Zola. My point is - who cares? You have a mix in the league...I think you should be able to wear whatever you want, within reason. At least it's not like the stupid NFL rule where Del Rio and Nolan had to pass an act of Congress to wear a suit on the sidelines.
Dempsey has been very positive about his time on the USMNT. Especially when things didn't seem to be working out great at Fullham. I think based on many of his comments you can safely say he has enjoyed playing for Bob. Doesn't mean he would follow him to the ends of the earth....
Fair enough. I don't recall reading much from Clint beyond standard "boilerplate" type compliments for Bob, so I was simply wondering why people were so convinced that just because he enjoyed playing for a coach a few times a year that would translate into a strong desire to play for him on a day to day basis.
I pretty much agree. I remember Clint behaving harshly in Guatemala for being subbed off. It has crossed my mind that Fulham may be trying to create some sort of perception to appease Clint, by appearing interested in Bob.
A lot of people are saying that this may just be fluff and many on here are refusing to beleive that it could be true...the true is football has come a long way and Bob may be the guy that first crosses the bridge... our players did it 20 years ago... it seems only right that a manager will get his chance... Fulham has always had the strong US love affair and Bob is not that far off how Roy managed... people also forget that Bob is a Princeton man which is respected over in England... he is a very intelligent guy. I think there is something more than just rumors to this all.
Agreed. Its the same inferiority complex that says any story linking Dempsey to Milan or Donovan to Manchester City is pure fiction.
Ridiculous comment. It's not an inferiority complex. It's an understanding of the facts on the ground in England. Most of us who say it's extremely unlikely are not saying so because of Bob's skills or abilities (although some certainly are). We are saying so because we know attitudes and perceptions in England. Why would an owner take a chance on a completely unproven commodity who has never played or managed in Europe (especially an American...what do they know about the tactics of the game???) when the costs of failure are so high (ie relegation)? It will likely happen one day, but until it does we have every reason to be very skeptical when an American is floated as a candidate for an open job.
I wouldn't really trust the traditional bookmakers. The low odds are just to cover themselves. I think a better guide is betfair.com. Search for fulham to see the full list. It's better as its people putting up money and reacts alot quicker to any news. Bob was 65/1 at the weekend. Closed in to 5/1 and has slowly lengthened out over today to 33/1. Sven has been consistenly the favourite and I think the only reason Bobs odds shortened was that Sun story. If the betfair market shortens again overnight / tommorow morning then maybe Bob is in with a shot but I don't think anything barring a sighting at Craven Cottage is gonna get him down to 5/1 again. *edit Just stuck another couple of quid on Bob at 33/1 so now he's down to 31/1. I feel Sven wants too much money and the Otto guy is in contract and will probably need a pay off. Fulham don't really splash the cash so I'm hopeful.
These are the types of comments I'm referring to: "ESPNsoccernet: Does knowing you would play mean that commuting for international games has been easier to deal with? CD: It is a breath of fresh air. You really never know if you are going to start or not, but I have been fortunate in that Bob has had faith in me, and through working hard I have paid him back by scoring goals, which has helped me keep my place in the team. Another good thing about going back for international games is that it allows me to see my family more. I'll fly them in to the games." I'm not going to look for more but especially during this time (late 2008) Clint made numerous comments about feeling appreciated with the US team and looking forward to his international games. But yeah, Dempsey isn't going to make career decisions based on where Bob Bradley is coaching...
Disagree, since Betfair lines are set by fans it follows the news stories and therefore doesn't tell you much beyond whats already out there. Traditional bookmakers tend to have their own contacts and won't be as swayed by the Sun putting out yet another story that repeats existing information.
Did I steal your lunch money or give you a swirly or something? Grow up. Those same "facts" said a top club in England would never consider a young goalkeeper in MLS or that a club like Milan would never consider an American centerback. They're not facts about attitudes and perceptions because you're not in their heads. Bob Bradley is "completely unproven" and is a "commodity"??? Yeah, and I'm the one that exaggerates.
The betting houses in England have the odds at, what, 6:1 and 9:1? That would make him a longshot, but certainly within the realm of possibility. Spain's odds of winning the world cup were about the same.
Well for starters his tactics were successful against Spain and copied by Switzerland. And with less talent won his group which had England in it. If anything tactics are Bradley's strong points. He's highly intelligent and has the demeanor to take the pressure assoicated tih coaching in the EPl. If giving an opportunity I feel safe in saying that Fulham will not get regulated with Bradley as the coach. They may not repeat last years success, but give him a few years and Fulham will become a consistently successful team.