HA-HA ... failure!
Yeah so I’m not too terribly thrilled with the appointment of Klinsmann as the USMNT boss.
I wasn’t too thrilled with the dismissal of Bob Bradley either. I wouldn’t say I was celebrating it as many were, but I wasn’t exactly sad when I heard the news. I think that Bradley’s time had run out, but I don’t think he was the failure people made him out to be. I just don’t see what transpired the last two days (and I’m guessing the last few weeks) as a fix to the problems facing the USMNT. I really don’t like that this move was made now and not after the Gold Cup. Perhaps it has been in the works since then, as we know the negotiations with Klinsmann have been a tad demanding in the past. But the problems that were exposed in that tournament are not going to be fixed by this move.
In the future we could look back and say that this set about the revitalization of soccer in the United States.
More likely in my opinion is it will set about another World Cup where we all convince ourselves it could really happen this time and then we go lose to Ghana again. And then Klinsmann jumps ship and heads back to Europe. Because hey he got the USMNT to the knockouts, that’s just as impressive as what he did with Germany! I’d like to think this isn’t a stepping stone for him, but it seems that way to me. After he bombed out at Bayern where was he going to go? The two main jobs he has been linked with since his failure to replicate any of the success he had with Germany at a dominant club were this job and Liverpool.
Yes. Sunil Gulati sees him in the same light that Tom Hicks and George Gillet did. If that doesn’t freak you right the hell out, you’re probably a Mexico supporter. Obviously Gulati knows more about the game than those two idiot cowboys (or at least has more experience within it) but it still worries me. I know that we have to be willing to give a guy the chance to prove himself, and this will be a much different task than those he has faced. At Bayern and with Germany he coached many players who weren’t the best player in the squad but would be the greatest American player of all time if all that switched was their nationality. What I’m saying is, his talent pool is a lot different. Now if he wants to bring changes to the way youth development works here, I wish him all the best. Personally I see the amateur sports rules as being a bit of a stumbling block, but if it’s possible, then sure go for it.
I have hope for the future if he is able to change the system, because I do not like how we have handled youth development under Gulati. I’m tired of losing players with dual citizenship, I’m tired of the constant next-big-thing that never makes it, but I am realistic. I’m not expecting us to produce Messi or Maldini. But when one talks of powerhouse national teams the word generation is thrown about. With us it seems to be pinned to a player. The hope for the future was Adu. Then it was Jozy. We need crops. No doubt we have made great strides – many of which under Bradley and Gulati’s watch – but we stand at risk of being overtaken by Mexico (if it hasn’t happened already). I’m not holding out much hope for the next few years of competitions, I’m not being a defeatist I’m just being realistic. I certainly think we can do as well as under Bradley, but for the next step to be taken it needs to be taken from the bottom up. If Klinsmann is the man for that, outstanding. But I just haven’t seen any reason to get super excited about this. At the same time, it’s more exciting and terrifying than any other moves the USSF has made in my lifetime, so there’s that. Best of luck to him, don’t screw this up, because Tom and George aren’t going to be there to bail you out if you botch another job.
Until our friendly with Mexico we’ve got plenty of matches in the next few weeks. Loads of friendlies today, and lots of U20 WC and MLS action. Your listings follow, and remember, if you’re moaning about how the manager should be American, you’d probably have Lalas in charge of everything right now. Think before you speak.
Friendlies
Kitchee-Blackburn 6 a.m. FSC
Chelsea-Aston Villa 8:30 a.m. FSC
PSG-New York Red Bulls 9 a.m. ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
Airtricity XI-Manchester City 9 a.m. FSP
Arsenal-Boca Juniors 11:30 a.m. ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
Inter Milan-Celtic 11:30 a.m. FSC
Barcelona-Manchester United 7 p.m. ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3
Mali-South Korea 5:45 p.m. ESPN3
Cameroon-New Zealand 5:45 p.m. ESPN3
Colombia-France 8:45 p.m. ESPNU, ESPN3
Portugal-Uruguay 8:45 p.m. ESPN3
MLS
Vancouver-Los Angeles 7:30 p.m. FSC, TSN
Houston-Seattle 8:30 p.m. Direct Kick
Kansas City-New England 8:30 p.m. Direct Kick
Real Salt Lake-Columbus 9 p.m. Direct Kick
San Jose-D.C. United 10:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet/DC, Direct Kick
Portland-Toronto 11 p.m. Direct Kick
Who would you have wanted to replace the deservedly-terminated Bradley? I can understand the concerns about Klinsmann, but at this point an ABB(Anyone But Bob) approach brightens my mood.
Isn’t Beckenbauer “Der Kaiser??”
Yep. It’s a quote from his Cosmos days. There aren’t any good quotes on Klinsmann.
Okay, you don’t like the Klinsmann appointment- which former Liverpool manager/player/pie lady were you backing for the job?
I actually think Benitez could do really well in this job, but it’s below him.
Steve Nicol, of course!
When the hell did I change to Mayor McCheese?
Elections were last Tuesday…you don’t remember?
If Klinsmann does nothing else then pick new, fresh, talented players and then tries to mold a system around them, I’d be happy. As much as Bob seemed to rely on the same players, and then go deer in the headlights after he tossed them on the field, choosing better players can only improve the club. (Conner Casey, Robbie Rogers, Ricardo Clark…get ye to a nunnery!)
If he can institute a program for the entire men’s team system from youth up, I’d be super duper happy. I think that tWWL actually got one thing very right, this entire thing is going to rest on who he gets as his assistants. I’m not so sure he wouldn’t be better in Gulati’s job with an overall vision, and bringing in other fellas to coach the teams, but right now, we got what we got, and I’m hopeful.
I’m actually thinking the same thing. This could be a stepping stone for him to take over the entire USSF operation. Doctor Sunil is likely fucked either way. If this plan succeeds, it’s Klinsmann’s credit and he becomes more powerful than Sunil. If it fails, it’s on Sunil’s head.
When you put it that way, I’m completely and totally on board with the hire. As long as it results in a rethinking and reworking of how we do youth development, it can only improve our system and our national team. (I really, truly hope, anyway.)