Great news for Greg. At least it won't be where in the world is Greg on trial at this summer. Well done Greg.
he has earned it thats for sure. i am glad that gregg has found a team and a coach that fit and support him. here's to a quick return to the bundesliga for cottbus.
dpa text: FC Energie Cottbus and Gregg Berhalter will have a common future. On Friday the 29 year old defence organizer signed a long contract in the Lausitz. The central defender stays in Cottbus until 2006. "Gregg Berhalter is not only a perfect fit due to his sportive performances, but also because of his character", said Eduard Geyer who praised Berhalter's behaviour in the relegation struggle. "I am very happy that also in the future we are able to build our defence around him." Gregg Berhalter played 31 national games for the USA. The New Yorker came from Crystal Palace to Cottbus in September.
Good news. Not sure how big a role he has for the Nats going forward but it is good to see him have a job for a few years.
That's weird, I thought he was impossible to sign. Actually, given that I've heard Cottbus isn't the most thrilling place in the world to live, I'm surprised he didn't try to play the field a little more.
Good news. Anyone who's ever watched Tony Popovic play has to wonder why Crystal Palace didn't give Gregg a chance...
I guess this depends on what you want. Surely Cottbus is not the most beautiful place on earth, but I think he's leaving in a new part of the town where almost all Energie players have their houses. But if you like a calm life without too much stress, then you're not in a bad place in Cottbus. The city center is pretty cosy and the region outside is very natural with lots of parks - too much nature for me, but I can imagine that he likes it. His pregnant wife (or maybe she gave birth to the baby meanwhile, I'm not sure) will have had some influence in the decision as well; if she had considered Cottbus to be a bad place for them, then he would have signed somewhere else (Cottbus definitely was not the only club being interested in him).
Gregg has moved around a lot- I forget his first Dutch team, then Sparta Rotterdam, then Cambuur,Holland, then Crystal Palace, then Energie. It could well be that Berhalter and his family enjoy this location, like the team, and just want to sit quietly for a while.Moving countries every year can not be fun.
That's probably right. Someone told me that many of the players immediately after the games jump in their cars and head for Berlin, but the Berhalters may like the fact that it's away from the stress of a big city.
Olaf (or Aris, or anyone in the know), Just out of curiosity, what other teams were interested in him? Do you what stage (if any) of negotiation he may have reached with these other clubs? Did Cottus offer him the most $$$ or did he accept less to remain somewhere the he and his family ostensibly enjoy living? Regardless, I too am impressed that he signed a long-term deal after such history of bouncing around. He hasn't had this much security since his time in the Eredivise.
Mainz and Everton were more than rumoured to be interested. Other than that I don't know. Cottbus surely does not offer more $$$ than Everton.
congrats to Greg on his new contract. And if Olaf is to be believed on a new, or soon to be new, kid.
don´t cratulate too early. energie cottbuss has no licence for 2.liga yet. the contracs with the players are too expensive for the 2.liga so they will need 600000€ from a bank ore a new sponsor. i don´t think that it will happen but perhaps they will play in 3.liga next year.
Any idea what the contract is worth? Also, how serious was the interest by Everton? Are there links to any details?