Let's talk about Jurgen (serious discussion only, please)

Another thing that bugs me: JK is recycling the same spiel he used when he took over Bayern, the same when he was hired as "Das Konsültant" by Toronto FC. You find the same themes again and again and again: "we need to change the football culture," "we need to find a team philosophy adapted to our player pool," "the changes start with diet, concentration, mental focus, proper sleep," etc.

These generalities have earned well-deserved scorn from people who know a lot about football. Both in Germany and Canada. Check this blog poking fun at him and compare what he said when he arrived to Toronto FC :

http://yorkies1812.blogspot.ca/2010_11_01_archive.html

He got there in November 2010. TFC was a mid-table team in the Eastern Conference (5 out of 8). JK helped implement changes for 2011. He gave seminars to the coaching team, put players through fitness testing, etc.:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/socce...-klinsmann-promises-tfc-blueprint-for-success

After implementing the suggested changes and focusing on "creating their own philosophy," TFC landed 8 out of 9 in the Eastern Conference for 2011.

 

Don't worry, Klinsmann isn't anything like Sven. He's a lot cheaper.

But really, there's no 'downfall' and Klinsmann actually seems devoted to making his tenure into a success.

 

That was hilarious. "The eagle flies backward at night. Over."

 

I guess the "serious discussion only" part of the thread is going out the window.

Who gives a shit what JK says? Phil Jackson says totally random things all the time and no one questions his coaching ability.

 

But if we don't focus on what he says, we'd have to focus on the rather mediocre results on-the-field he's getting so far.

Everybody is saying we should give him more time before starting to criticize what he does, because he's such a "long term vision guy." And that opinion is entirely based on what he says. Because he's not calling young talent at a higher rate than either of the two previous USMNT coaches.

And we have no means to see any change in the "philosophy of the game" during training, or among the youth divisions. All we get is snippets of him talking about diet and mental focus and other things marginally related to the job of a football manager.

We're being patient because he's told us this is a process. Because of what he's been saying. If the results obtained so far were by someone named Jason Kreis, instead of Jurgen Klinsmann, you'd have more people asking interesting questions about Jason's ability already.

 

Not good enough, simple as that. Not much team chemistry. They look a little lost. Bad lineup decisions. Altidore on the field, Lichaj in the mix. We might not qualify at this rate.

 

He has better player selections than Bob ever had.

 

I lol'd

 

He's basically using the same starters as Bob, except without any useful players on the bench to change things up.

 

Fabian Johnson gem over Jonathan Bornstein nightmare?

 

That is unfair.

Johnson was unavailable and unknown during the times that Bradley was using Bornstein.

Bornstein was on the the assent of his career when Bradley was using him. He played well in qualifiers, and was solid, if not useful in the WC. All that was good enough to earn him a contract with Tigres. Now, his overall skill at the highest level was always in question, but until the wheels came off in the Gold Cup, Bornstein looked like a solid backup at worst, and possibly an eventual full time starter. After Bornstein, there was really no one else. In the Mexico game, Bob didn't really have any other choice when Dolo went down, especially since Chandler had rejected the early call.

Bob did a good job at looking at a lot of different players and blooding youngsters into the national team.

 

Johnson is, so far, Klinsie's biggest achievement.

Let's hope he doesn't fizzle after six months, like Brek Shea did.

 

I feel for you guys, hopefully it doesn't end that way, but that is the first thing I said after US hired JK....carefuel for what you wish for. Perhaps the US doesn't have the players to play the JK style and be successful with top nations. You guys had a very good thing going with yoru style of play, was it pleasing and exciting, NO, but you guys won and played solid. I think the main thing hurting you right now, is that your Defense isn't as good as it was, and that in turn is hurting your offense. I myselft thought that Sven did a good job of trying to get up to pair with Mexican football, attending multi games each week and such, however JK has lived here for years, so he should not have that catchup that Sven had.

 

Whaddayamean "NOT exciting"?! Seriously, get your short term memory sorted out.

 

I think Klinsmann is trying to do the right thing and I am still supporting him. Bradley was taking us on a fast road to nowhere and it was time for him to go. I would rather see us play and try to win rather then bunker and hope for a break. This is an American team and bunkering in any venue, is not our style.

Another thing that Klinsmann has to do is know when its over or winding down for long time players and always have a crop of younger players coming up. Arena to a large extent and Bradley to some extent, either had trouble doing this OR were so dedicated to personal favorites (i.e., Bornstein), they wouldn't move forward.

I also think where Klinsmann is missing the mark is in his roster selection/game plan to some degree. He almost needs one roster for playing weaker teams that will bunker and another roster for when we play teams that will be able to attack us. When facing a bunkering team, we must have people that can penetrate and create.... this round we didnt have any players that could do that (except Torres) and as a result... had trouble scoring or even creating shots.

 

This is just such a fable. Just look at the Ghana or Mexico games Bob Bradley lost. In both games the US went all out to attack and score goals.

And if anything Klinsmann so far has proven to be 'defensive' minded. Klinsmann's style so far is a lot more about conserving than it is about creating.

edit: about Torres, he never ever penetrates.

 

After almost a year in charge of the USMNT, there is plenty of evidence from our team, so I'm not sure how instructive the Bayern situation is anymore. I just don't think he had buy in . . . and it reminds me of something a coach told me once: "I'd rather have 11 guys doing the wrong thing collectively than 8 players doing the right thing." New ideas just don't work if only half the team is supportive, and it sounds like that was the case (if that).

 

I believe Shea fizzling is partly attributable to JK , and apparently FC D's coach, people are machine philosophy, especially when young ! Humans need no recuperation, just more fitness.

 

Managing a club is much different than coaching an international team.

He appears to me a more cultured player than Brek and I don't see him fizzling. Of course, as someone mentioned, players need to recuperate and if JK insists on dragging Johnson over from Europe for every friendly, qualifier, etc, and then plays him 90 every match, there is a risk.

 

Bornstein is fast ! That made up for a lot of his defensive and technical deficiencies and added to his offensive abilities. As fast as he is now, he is not as fast as before his knee injury. The guy was a blur at times and blowing by people ! He is no longer a "blur" and rarely blows by people with any decent quickness. I think this hurt his confidence and his game.

 

One of the reasons I am focusing on reviewing Vasquez instead of Klinsmann is simple, if Klinsmann slips up, Gulati will likely be fired. He spent too much money on a failed project and someone has to fall. As Gulati put his handshake on this deal, it is his ship to sink with.

Which leads me to believe the only realistic possibilities are: 1. We dont qualify for the WC and the house is cleaned. 2. Klinsmann qualifies and we roll the dice at the WC and JK and Gulati are judged on results. 3. We make adjustments to the coaching staff and play improves, everyone is happy.

I would like to see someone like Frankie brought in as a former player coach. I would like to see a real european tactician brought in, Peter Nowak would be terrific, but would accept some of SFS suggestions, and I think we should concentrate almost entirely on keeping form and improving the defense both in transition and on set plays. It's time to get boring.

 

The US ranking is going to slip, which, assuming the US qualifies, could hurt them in the hex and beyond. Lastly, if Gulati was no longer in charge, I would say halalujah ! Speak about a constant presence that has done nothing. They guy knows little about football. He want to keep too much control. He said something like Klinnsman was his only option. That is why he kept Bradley while he hoped and thought he would be able to actually land Klinnsman. He has actually kept the team on hold for year(s) while he hoped his fantasy would be fufilled. His search for a new coach was a joke and a sham ! Do you really want a guy in charge that implements a process of only looking at JK because he has a fantasy about his abilities and a man crush on JK. Where is his analysis and process or people looking for the best fit and vision !

He does not stand up or fight for US soccer or the MLS enough ! I hope the US goes through but I hope Gulati is gone !

 

Link please.

 

Torres doesn't penetrate, true. But that is why he's OK as a winger. He looked good as a LB and would have continued methinks but was fouled with an ankle-cruncher.

The comparison with Sven E. is "chilling", like the blood in both his and JK's vessels. Maybe the crushing practice and lack of empathy with both tired and hurt players bites both coaches back in the ass.

Surprised to learn that Bielsa was more expensive than JK and an Argentinian who spoke English! Boy did Gulati miss on that opportunity!

Imagine if the USSF starts to give JK a hard time like the German federation did.