Here's one to get the rumor mill working overtime. I was at WDR, German state television early this morning talking to Boris Inanici, their ace reporter who has in the past has been embedded with the national team. He told me that Jurgen Klinsmann, the German national team coach will quit after the World Cup regardless of whether the 'Mannschaft' wins the whole thing or not.
He then told me that Klinsmann has already been seen with the top brass of the US Soccer Federation and that there is a very good chance that he will take over the national program when Bruce Arena steps down, which Arena has said he will do.
This is a brilliant move for both Klinsmann and the Federation. Jurgen has taken to Southern California like a duck to water. He has already done extensive consultation work with the LA Galaxy, he's married to an American, has American kids and loves the way America approaches sport. It is his new ideas that caused outcry at the DFB and now has them singing his praises.
For USSF it's a can't lose situation. For the first time, America would have a high profile coach, one who is media savvy and most importantly a former player and top notch coach who knows the game inside and out. Klinsmann would command and demand attention to the national program and as we have seen from the German, he is not afraid to take chances.
Klinsmann has wanted the Germans to play a more uptempo, offensive style and it has ruffled the feathers of many within the German camp including Ballack.
Arena has done a decent job but if change is in the air, then Klinsmann would be a good choice. I like his policy of team selection based on performance not reputation.
Klinsmann's probably good enough to still play in the MLS!
Arena has been OK for the US, but Juergen should be great, he's all style and class as an individual - should be enough to get the US to the later stages of the WC.
Agreed, RichLancaster. I cant believe the pelters he's been taking in the German media, he's made them an exciting team to watch, rather than being their usual robotic self... The last German team that played with true flair was the 1974 WC winning team.
Just presupposing this does happen (and right now I just care about the US winning on Thur.) I would like the following to happen (in no particular order and conceding that Klinsmann can only hold so much sway):
A) Please more games against staunch European teams. The profile and quality are that much better. Don't get me wrong I understand we play in CONCACAF but I would still like to see some "meaningful" games against European, Asian...just non-CONCACAF competition a fair bit more often.
B) Klinsmann can somehow shape a playmaker and a finisher (whatever happened to Conor Casey?). Landon is not a reliable '10'. Don't get me wrong, I think he's still quality but more of a tweener. McBride won't be around much longer. EJ can develop into something special. Yeah, that's more of the developmental side but he's Klinsmann and my hopes will be high and ambitious.
C) Use his repute to get some different internationals in MLS. Europeans, Africans, just a different dynamic than the hackneyed and perfunctory 1-2 Central Americans, 1 South American, 1 Caribbean that is prevalent in the MLS roster. I think the league can use that. I know, I know...money. Plus, again, he doesn't really control that.
Maybe I'm just wishing here and commenting more on the shortcomings of the league and slate of international games. Oh well, fun anyways.
Last edited by EaglesPerch on June 18th at 4:16 PM.
That'd be huge for US Soccer. Klinsmann would really take the American game to the next level. His connections, experience, and wisdom would be invaluable. Good work, Nick. I hope your friend at WDR was right.
This would be the most brilliant move the USSF has ever made if it is true. Finally a true, top class player/coach to take the US team to the next level. The man has held the World Cup trophy for crying out loud!
Last interview I heard from Klinsmann himself he said, he would be pleased to keep on coaching the german team after the world cup. Was at one of the daily press conferences of the DFB last week I guess.
One question I'd have on the Klinsmann issue is, how would the US afford him? Arena has to be a total bargain by comparison!? Who has the budget for Juergen? If Germany do well, and it's likely they will, then his price is going up every day!
As for helping out with the MLS, I just don't know what that would take. I find the entire US soccer scene confusing. Seattle can sell out Qwest Field and put 67,000 in the stands for a Man Utd vs Celtic game, but only 10,000 US fans show up for the national team, and there is no MLS team here. US Club soccer is a bit of a mess and not even Klinsmann is going to bale it out in my opinion.
My guess is re: Qwest field exhibition that all the expat English soccer fans in the US flew in to see it + those who flew over fr across the pond and the occasional Americans.
This has happened before w/ other exhibition games in the US; no mystery to me.
The US definately needs a new head coach. Australia, T&T and S.Korea are illustrating what a huge advantage is gained by a world class coach. In all fairness Arena has done extreemly well given his very limited experience and technical knowledge. Arena is definately guilty of not having his team ready for the Czech game, and too ready for the Italy game, where they were lucky to finish with 9 men and a point.
Klinsmann, however, is not the man for the job. He has no coaching experience, and is not particularly well respected in Europe either. We all know the needs of US soccer and Klinsmann has nothing to offer in any of these areas.
What is Klinsmann's training as a manager? Has taken coaching courses (does he have a UEFA license)? I'm inclined to like Klinsmann, but I'm not convinced that he's a world class coach with the very limited experience he has.
The Klinsmann euphoria will continue as the Germans continue exhibiting this new found attacking flair. A big name will be necessary to at least shake things up here and perhaps draw better competition in int'l friendlies.
You know I'm really impressed w/ Guus Hiddink and how his Aussie side has been playing. He convinces his players that they can beat anybody (save for Brasil) and they play the full 90+ hard. That can't be said for US this time around.
Arena has had his day. He was good for the USA for a time but that time is past. He has done some good things for the USA program but his arrogance during interviews before and during this World Cup is unbecoming a man of his position. Ego has long since over taken sensibility with him. He needs to pursue other things, perhaps an Island Nation will need him, we do not.
I believe every person who like Klinsmann and German hopes that he will stay. It's ture that his family in the US will make many inconveniences, but klinsmann is so important to all of fanses and German, so, don't leave please!
Who will break into the 'B4' and who will avoid the drop. So many questions will be answered over the next nine months because it's back - the greatest show on earth - The Barclays Premier League.
