I'm sure we've had these thread's before, but I think now is a good time as any to be asking. He's been the coach for a number of years now. Obviously, we got a great result in WC 2002. Our record this year is also good. His career record with the Nats is a winning one as well. On the other side, with the MLS, he has had better players to choose from. Also, our internationals are of higher quality. Those make his job significantly easier. Since the WC, we haven't done all that well against world class teams. Sure we beat Mexico, but those are tight games. Lately our opponents have been of lower quality as well. I think he's a good coach, but I also think that someone else could come in and continue US's success rather easily. Perhaps that's a testament to the strength of team that Arena has put together. I wonder how Arena practices, how he motivates, how he deals with losses and so on. Opinions?
Let's ask this another way: What attributes can a specific coach (and you MUST name names) that REALISTICALLY can be hired by USSF that would be a step up from Arena?
There isnt a ton to judge him on. He had a great WorldCup and the team looks as good as it ever has, but who the heck really knows. We dont play enough meaningful games too really make a good good determination. Its hard to really judge someone unless you see them in competition. Tieing the Polish B team and Haiti arn't especailly great results. But for what US Soccer is, He's alright...
Who would make a better coach? That's a tough question as well. Sometimes good coaches don't get good results... for example Ranieri. It'd be tought making a case to replace Arena with anyone based upon his current success. With the state of the US team, we might have the best coach possible. Now do I think that someone else could be as effective as a coach? For sure. But if it ain't broke, dont look a gift horse in the mouth... or something...
I can't think of any replacements. I don't think Sven-Goran Ericksson or Scolari could do a better job with the group of players we currently have. I think Arena is doing a fine job. He has a lot more choices for selection these days also. He's also given a run out to quite a few newbies during his tenure. I just wish he'd give up on the Bobby Convey at left back experiment.
Isn't asking if Bruce is a good coach the same as asking if a frog's ass is watertight? He's done fine so far and I don't see a new coach before 06, so we should have another WC to judge him on besides all the WCQ's on the way there.
You may want to check out a thread I started entitled "Props to Bruce Arena" The basic point that I made is Bruce's ability to manage young men psychologically is second to none. Many potential issues there, and Bruce has handled our squad with confidence and they players, to a man, respect him. That's huge.
I don't ever see him fired up though. Also he always seems to be satisfied with the team's results. He was happy to tie Poland last week. He was happy to lose to Holland because they were a good squad. Reminds me of Mike Sherman (GB Packers)... sometimes I'd like to see the coach get angry at his players if they don't perform
I'm sure players that don't perform hear about it. One credit to Bruce is he generally, with a few exceptions, chooses not to discipline his players through the media. We may not always agree with Bruce's methods or choices, but he has proven through success at every level that he is a good coach. We indeed do have much stronger players than ever before, but I've seen teams with lots more talenbt than the current US squad bomb. Bruce gets the most out of a solid but unspectacular squad.
Good point... but even if he wanted to discipline through media, how much media does US soccer get? Not much to hear about. How was he as an MLS coach?
Well, Arena won the first two MLS cups, a CONCACAF Cup, a US Open Cup, and an Inter-American Cup. I'd say he did quite well as an MLS coach. What is it with Americans that we need to see someone on the touchline overcoaching like a soccer Vince Lombardi. This isn't a game where the coachhas much impact once the match kicks off. The best coaches I've seen say very little once the match starts. They do the work during the week and make small adjustments during the match. That's it. Who cares if he gets bent out of shape after losing a meaningless game against the Dutch? The man gets results. Period.
Didn't The Bruce just win his 50th game? So in six years (started right after WC 98) he's won 50 games. That is just over 8 a year. With an international calendar of around 15 games, winning 8 is good and that doesn't say anything about draws. See the below history of the USMNT since Bruce took over. One year below 50% wins. Two years over 60% wins. Since January 1 of this year: 5 W - 1 L - 3 T. 55% 2003: 10 - 4 - 2. Won 62.5% of the games. 2002: 12 - 6 - 2. 60% 2001: 6 - 6 - 3. 40% 2000: 9 - 2 - 6. 52.9% 1999: 7 - 4 - 2. 53.8% pre-Bruce 1998: 6 - 6 - 4. 37.5% Since he has been the boss we've acomplished the following: 2002 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions 2000 US Cup Champions The WC before Bruce, last place in the tourney. Bruce coached DU United to the first two league championships before leaving for the national team. Bruce's resume and results make him the best American soccer coach currently working. Jerry Y. might be able to trump him.
US's success can't only be placed on his shoulders, however. There are many factors that goes into a winning squad. The MLS is a primary reason. The youth program is another. Look at the teams we've beaten... no one mega impressive in the last few years. But I digress, I can't take anything away from Arena... a win is a win.
Arena picked out just about every player for D.C. United other than players that may have been assigned to the team, which if any, weren't many. My point is he didn't walk into the job with a championship team. He made them that way. At UVA, his record is incredible and it speaks for itself. With the USMNT, yes he has the best players we've ever had, but I'm absolutely positive there are more than a few coaches that would've ********ed it all up. And very few who wouldn't have. Sure we have good players but how many coaches could've honestly taken us there? Everywhere he's been he's been successful. "Is he a good coach?" I don't think its very hard to figure that one out. Look at his record.
How about the total dominance over Mexico. They used to look at us as their easily beatable neighbor to the north. No longer.
We haven't played many real games since the Wolrd Cup. The confed cup was as close as we got, but that was an experimental team. There's nothing wrong with that either. Maybe you're young, so find someone with tapes. Look at how our team played in 1997 and 1998 and then look at how we play now. Having better players helps, but finding the players who can play together and help the team is something completely different. He does that well even if we think some of his choices are a little weird.
Pulling out the "young" card... ouch I'm not bashing Arena. I like him. I was just pointing out that sometimes people give him all of the credit. We'd be fools to even consider other coaches. As long as we keep rolling in good young players, like Szetela, I'm sure Arena will have a long career. Well, unless they get last in the '06 WC.
Here's something else to consider, he's American. He knows how our players think and knows how to get them to play. He also knows the players coming through. There's always talk about foreign coaches. I'm sure there could be a foreign guy out there who's a great coach, but he doesn't know the players, nor will he know how to related to them. This is very important to look at if you go back to Bora and look at the lack of success foreign coaches have had in MLS.
I think asking if Arena is a good coach is a ridiculous question. Of course he is a good coach. He gets results, has the respect of his players, has command of tactics, understands his opponents and other teams fear the USMNT. The argument that he never gets fired up on the sideline is perhaps the biggest myth in sports, that if you show no emotion you can't be a good coach. Unfortunately for the United States, the only "major" trophy we play for is the World Cup, something that only comes along every 4 years. Other than that, what is the goal of a national team coach? Win the games that get us to the World Cup and develop players who are World Cup caliber. Very few of us believe we won't be going to Germany 2006, and very few of us think our player pool is dwindling. Yes, Bruce Arena is a good coach. Lee
**Bruce is under zero pressure to perform.. Win.. Lose.. It doesnt really matter, ther eis no outcry either way..
**Bruce is under zero presssure. There is no press coming down on him, no outcry from our passive fan base. Its the status quo man, thats what soccer is here in America...