Klinsmann Dismisses US Rumours

If Klinsmann turns the US down after the cup is over, I think the USSF should make a run at Sven Goren Erikkson. While Sven certainly has his detractors in the English press, I think that England’s play has improved since he’s taken over, and he’s certainly an upgrade over Arena. Also, part of the reason that Sven will be leaving the England job is due to the fishbowl existence there, with every move he makes being overly scrutinized – both professionally and personally. Obviously, that wouldn’t be a problem in the US! Of course, I’m sure he’ll be getting a lot of high profile offers, not the least of which may be Sweden after their disappointing showing, but if the money is right I think the job would be a good fit for him.

Sven? are you kidding me? Have you seen any of England’s games in this world cup?

He would be about the worse choice you could make. Overpaid and doesn’t get results. England has been lucky- winning bland and ugly against weak opponents.

^ We’ll see about that after the England-Portugal game on Saturday. If England lose and play badly then maybe you are right. However, it is a known fact that England play better against tougher opposition. For example, they lost 1-0 to Northern Ireland in September last year, but followed that by beating Argentina 3-2.

It’s a canned dismissal. I think Klinsmann would be good for the US, but he’s a one termer. The US may need someone that will go a couple cycles.

And BTW, get us into Copa America.

Karl – The one thing I’ve noticed about England under Sven is that their passing is crisper than it has been in years past, and they move without the ball better than they have in previous years. Yes, they have had problems finishing, but some of that is due to some strong goalkeeping performances from the opposition. And as Steve pointed out, traditionally England plays up or down to whomever they’re facing, so we’ll see how they look against Portugal.

Harry – You think Klinsmann would only be a one term coach for the US, even though his house, wife, and children are within a 45 minute commute to the USMNT training center? I could certainly understand him leaving for a big-time European club, but short of that, why would he leave? I mean he’s already got the Germany job, which one would think would be his dream job.

Because I think Klinsmann is just having some fun. I don’t get the sense that he wants to grind it out for a long time.

Big Phil, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Hiddink or Sven would all be good picks to replace Arena if he decides to go. They all speak very good english, have track records of success in multple jobs and might be ready to move soon. Hiddink may going to Russia already. Remember Parreira coached the Metrostars for about a month several years ago.

Guys, Sven is a worldclass coach. He would be good for the US team and command respect.

However, let’s look at some recent decisions

1) Striker selection. Where are Bent and Defoe? The Walcott? Are you kidding me? This was a HUGE mistake. You need depth in a World Cup (And I thought this before the Owen injury)

2) Tactics. A 4-5-1 with Gerrard and Frankie in the middle is confusing as hell. Who is the attacking mid? Who is the holding mid? He needs to choose one or the other.

That being said: he has gotten results. However he does have World Class players to choose from. Can he turn water into wine?

But I wouldn’t read too much into the Argentina game: they subbed out Riquelme, Ayala, and Tevez before England could do anything. And a friendly vs the World Cup are too different things.

Plus, that team had Michael Owen and a match-fit Rooney.

ETucker, you are a voice of sanity, once again.

I’ve got other reasons for not wanting Sven at the helm of our team; but your reasons are spot on, too.

[rant]Given my preference, I would want an American managing an American team. It’s not some kind of chauvinism.

I believe that every national team should consist of citizens of that particular nation, even if they are naturalized citizens.

Why should we require players to be citizens of the nations they represent, if we don’t require the same of the managing staffs? What is the difference?

Oh, I know. That would mean that some smaller nations would be at a disadvantage because their coaching ranks are too thin. Well, then why don’t we allow small nations to also import players? After all, their player pools are likewise a little thin.

Taking a look at the American coaching ranks, I understand that we’re not as deep as, say, the Dutch (now, they’ve got good managers). But, where’s the incentive of building up the American coaching ranks if we’ve only got to import someone to fill our top job?[/rant]

Scolari turned down the England job. I doubt he’d jump at the chance to coach amaterus like Donovan.

Is Sven’s name still being considered for the Real Madrid job?

My prediction: US Soccer goes with some college coach or MLS riff raff, which will lead to a team filled with sweet college players and MLS riff-raff.

Anyone know how much a guy like Arena makes?

Flynn-

the MLS riff-raff looked equal to the European-based players this past World Cup.

Beasley? Where’s the O?

Reyna? Nice give away vs. Ghana

Gooch? Nice header to Rosicky. Great job marking Koller early on. Lovely penalty.

Dolo? I didn’t even know he was on the team until he was subbed out the second game.

McBride? McWho? Had one shot on goal…and it hit a post. Sent a Donovan gift to the upperdeck in the Italy game.

Our best player was Dempsey, with no one else doing anything of note. Where does Dempsey play?

Flynn–I dunno. The way Scolari tells it, he turned down the England job in large part because he had dozens of English paparazzi on his doorstep as soon as he became the lead candidate. If Scolari doesn’t want reporters hounding him, why not come to a country where most people think AC Milan sings for a boy band?

Jon E – could be right…I just don’t think that after stints in Brazil & POR that he’d be jumping for this squad.

E-Tuck – the whole team sucked in this World Cup, but if you think that the MLS is producing stud footballers, well, then that is your opinion. It strikes me as purely developmental league that could serve a purpose for youngsters, but should not be touted as a strong, competitive league.

I’d rather have an American midfield that could play for Real Madrid, rather than Real Salt Lake.

1. Why would Klinsmann make this US decision now? He is in the middle of a world cup.
2. Has B Arena already resigned?
3. As a friend of Arena, Klinsmann would look really rude if I would agree to coach the USA

Flynn-

I never compared the MLS to the EPL or La Liga. I just said it was good enough in 2002, so why is it the scapegoat now? I have yet to hear a satisfactory answer.

I think the MLS can produce decent strikers and defenders (McBride, Johnson, Conrad, Pope), but definitely lacks in producing quality, creative midfielders. The 2002 team was good because we had a fit JOB from Ajax and a younger Reyna from Manchesther City in the middle of the park.

I agree the MLS is more of a springboard to Europe, but thats the same situation in Argentina and Brazil. Yet, these countries do well.

We cant put all the blame on the MLS, that’s all I’m saying.

I too hope that Klinnsman’s denials are just pro forma and reality. If he does agree, I say Wilkommne Jurgen, hello quarter finals 2010!

EVEN IF pele join the american team, you still will not play well enough to compete in the world cup ….AND WHY ARE YOU GUYS STILL HERE????? WORLD CUP IS OVER FOR YOU…I THINK THIS WILL BE USA’S LAST CUP…NOW THAT THESE THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES THAT USA QUALIFIES AGAINST ARE FINNALY GETTING BETTER…..

Flynn,

Bruce Arena earns 750.000 $,
Sven Goran Eriksson 7,5 Mill. (no. 1 worldwide),
Jurgen Klinsmann 2,5 Mill.

Sven has shown that he can make a turnaround (he is even praised for that in the song from Bell & Spurling, “Sven Sven Sven Come on England”) but is definitely to expensive for the US, even if World Bank would give a development aid loan.

Jurgen would be an ideal solution for both sides after 2010. But we must face that he would not come to a CONCACAF-team as a trainer-manager in the present situation, even if it is the US. Ask him for consultant – and Zico and Sven and Guus Hiddink.

The US team must be seen as a startup with a promising talent in the background but the problems of a continually underperformer. So we need a Bill Gates-trainer in his 20ies, not a Bill Gates in his late 40ies.

All the talk about MLS being the root of our problems at this WC is ridiculous. MLS is a league designed to develop young talent and allow it a springboard to Europe. It was also a league designed to grow the popularity of the sport – it is doing that, albeit very slowly. So, MLS is doing its job.

But it never aspired to be the EPL or the Bundesliga. Not many leagues in the world are.

The problems lie in (1) lack of offensive creativity, (2) lack of knowledageable coach, and (3) lack of competition against good teams. We can immediately start doing something about 2 and 3, and keep searching for 1. 1 may take time and patience.

We should be competitive for 2010. As someone at the YA site suggested, it is never too early to start stocking up on giraffe repellant:))

Bruce Arena, has done all He can for US Soccer but now we need a world class coach, like Argentinian coach Pekerman, or a Brasilian coach, but we need a leader that will not choke in a difficult game and one who knows when to make substitutions and what to do, to inspire his players.
Thank you Mr. Arena but your era has come to an end.
US Soccer has to move on and up.

ETucker, apparently Klinsmann turned water into wine. The USA needs scouts and more scouts to actually find the great players in such a big country. I would take the job, if I knew more about soccer.