htownwolverine

July 28th, 2011 at 6:39 PM ^

That Klinsmann actually said no way. He took a look at our youth organization and said he would only coach if he was allowed to radically change how the system wholesale and was told by Gulati that this area would not be in his realm. Maybe Gulati has come around.

If I can find a link I'll post it.

Joined: 09/02/2009

MGoPoints: 7149

smwilliams

July 28th, 2011 at 3:22 PM ^

Not only does he have the Hoke point down pat, but dude is a damn good manager. He's gotten a lot out of every squad he's ever coached.

South Korea's semifinal berth in the '02 World Cup. Russia to the '08 Euro semis. He's with Turkey now, and I'm guaranteeing they'll go somewhere they've never been before.

Regardless, it'll be Klinsmann.

Joined: 08/20/2010

MGoPoints: 9917

ryebadger

July 28th, 2011 at 5:14 PM ^

Love him, but if his good friend Roman couldn't persuade him to come to Chelsea because he wanted to see through his commitment to the Turkish team (and to Russia before that), I don't think he'll come here.

I want to say it's encouraging that they appear to have the replacement lined up, but I'm not sure they could put a deal together with Klinsmann so quickly and quietly

I truly wonder if the poor performances by MLS in these recent friendlies had anything to do with the timing of this. The US soccer people can't be happy about all these European teams coming here and running roughshod over what was thought to be an improving league. Not saying it contributed to the decision, just the timing.   

  

Joined: 11/18/2010

MGoPoints: 101

los barcos

July 28th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^

Im not as happy as others here about this move but it had to be done. also I'm not convinced were going to land klinsmann but he should be option #1,2 and 3

Joined: 03/27/2009

MGoPoints: 10795

los barcos

July 28th, 2011 at 3:15 PM ^

Im not as happy as others here about this move but it had to be done. also I'm not convinced were going to land klinsmann but he should be option #1,2 and 3

Joined: 03/27/2009

MGoPoints: 10795

Fhshockey112002

July 28th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^

Go to Klingsman with a blank check, this guy has a proven track record in Europe and would be an immediate upgrade.  Also would be less predictable with formations and lineups, something many of Bradley's detractors (myself included) grew to hate.

Joined: 11/08/2010

MGoPoints: 2464

Needs

July 28th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^

Klinsmann did get germany playing entertaining soccer and open a stagnant federation to a new generation of players, but many people attribute that teams' success to Lowe. His other experience is cratering Bayern to 4th or 5th in the Bundesligue, which should never happen. He'd be a change, but I'm not sold on his managerial genius.

Joined: 08/05/2008

MGoPoints: 11632

Yeoman

July 28th, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^

Here are Klinsmann's lineups at the World Cup. It's worth remembering as you look through this that they were playing a very high-energy pressing style and that in a WC you're typically playing every fifth:day, so fatigue can be expected to build up if players aren't rested.

vs. Costa Rica (Ballack unavailable due to injury):

  • Jens LEHMANN (GK)
  • Arne FRIEDRICH
  • Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER
  • Torsten FRINGS
  • Miroslav KLOSE (-79')
  • Philipp LAHM
  • Per MERTESACKER
  • Tim BOROWSKI (-72')
  • Bernd SCHNEIDER (C) (-91')
  • Lukas PODOLSKI
  • Christoph METZELDER
  • Sebastian KEHL (+72')
  • Oliver NEUVILLE (+79')
  • David ODONKOR (+91')
vs. Poland:
  • Jens LEHMANN (GK)
  • Arne FRIEDRICH (-64')
  • Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER (-77')
  • Torsten FRINGS
  • Miroslav KLOSE
  • Michael BALLACK (C)
  • Philipp LAHM
  • Per MERTESACKER
  • Bernd SCHNEIDER
  • Lukas PODOLSKI (-71')
  • Christoph METZELDER
  • Oliver NEUVILLE (+71')
  • Tim BOROWSKI (+77')
  • David ODONKOR (+64')
vs. Ecuador (qualification for knockout round already assured):
  • Jens LEHMANN (GK)
  • Arne FRIEDRICH
  • Robert HUTH
  • Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER
  • Torsten FRINGS (-66')
  • Miroslav KLOSE (-66')
  • Michael BALLACK (C)
  • Philipp LAHM
  • Per MERTESACKER
  • Bernd SCHNEIDER (-73')
  • Lukas PODOLSKI
  • Oliver NEUVILLE (+66')
  • Gerald ASAMOAH (+73')
  • Tim BOROWSKI (+66')
vs. Sweden:
  • Jens LEHMANN (GK)
  • Arne FRIEDRICH
  • Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER (-72')
  • Torsten FRINGS (-85')
  • Miroslav KLOSE
  • Michael BALLACK (C)
  • Philipp LAHM
  • Per MERTESACKER
  • Bernd SCHNEIDER
  • Lukas PODOLSKI (-74')
  • Christoph METZELDER
  • Sebastian KEHL (+85')
  • Oliver NEUVILLE (+74')
  • Tim BOROWSKI (+72')
(is this starting to look familiar?)
 
vs. Argentina:
  • Jens LEHMANN (GK)
  • Arne FRIEDRICH
  • Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER (-74')
  • Torsten FRINGS
  • Miroslav KLOSE (-86')
  • Michael BALLACK (C)
  • Philipp LAHM
  • Per MERTESACKER
  • Bernd SCHNEIDER (-62')
  • Lukas PODOLSKI
  • Christoph METZELDER
  • Oliver NEUVILLE (+86')
  • Tim BOROWSKI (+74')
  • David ODONKOR (+62')
vs. Italy (Frings suspended):
  • Jens LEHMANN (GK)
  • Arne FRIEDRICH
  • Sebastian KEHL
  • Miroslav KLOSE (-111')
  • Michael BALLACK (C)
  • Philipp LAHM
  • Per MERTESACKER
  • Tim BOROWSKI (-73')
  • Bernd SCHNEIDER (-83')
  • Lukas PODOLSKI
  • Christoph METZELDER
  • Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER (+73')
  • Oliver NEUVILLE (+111')
  • David ODONKOR (+83')
Only two changes were made that weren't forced due to injury or suspension and several players on the roster hadn't yet seen the field. It really wasn't any surprise that they were knackered by the end against Italy when they had to play two consecutive extra-time matches after fielding essentially the same lineup for six matches in 25 days.
 
I can't think of another coach of a contending WC side that's ever tried something like this. To that extent, I suppose you could say his lineups were surprising.

Joined: 06/08/2011

MGoPoints: 21390

bacon1431

July 28th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^

This decision is the most important hire in the history of US Soccer. It's going to determine if we're going to be a player on the international stage in the future, or the meh team we've been for a while now.

Joined: 07/26/2008

MGoPoints: 25277

Committed

July 28th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^

But everytime I see 'USMNT.' I think 'united states mutant ninja turtles.'
<br>
<br>But otherwise, good news none the less. I'm thinking it's time to go in a new direction. I follow it a bit but I'm not a real big fan of soccer. One thing soccer does do: it does a damn good job bringing the nation together thru sports.

Joined: 04/06/2011

MGoPoints: 2296

azul97

July 28th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^

Does anyone remember what the previous problem with Klinsmann was? I could be wrong but seem to remember rumors that he was close to taking over the team at some point but there was an issue as to the amount of control Klinsmann would have...

Joined: 01/18/2011

MGoPoints: 367

ken725

July 28th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^

He wanted full control of everything, including staff and anything that had to do with the players.  They weren't able to get that in writing after they had been negotiating for months.

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 32857

Tha Quiet Storm

July 28th, 2011 at 4:09 PM ^

I'm not super surprised that they fired him, but if they were going to do it, now was definitely the time.  Whoever gets the job will have a few friendlies in the next few months to get a feel for the team heading into the start of WC 2014 qualifying next summer.  Klinsmann seems like the logical choice, but Mourinho has also said that he'd like to coach the USMNT one day (no way it happens now but maybe sometime down the road).  Bradley took the team about as far as he could so I'm excited to see what happens now.  On the other hand, if they go and hire another MLS coach it will be a huge disappointment.

Joined: 12/22/2008

MGoPoints: 2260

Needs

July 28th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^

Former Chile and arghentina manager Marco Bielsa is out of contract. Chile were enormously entertaining in the last WC and just had the misfortune to be drawn in a group with Spain and then palying Brazil in the knockout round.

Joined: 08/05/2008

MGoPoints: 11632

dlcase1708

July 28th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^

The only MLS Coach I'd be ok with is Sigi Schmid. He did a great job with Columbus, and would bring a refreshing style to the USMNT scene. Maybe we'll see more players with flair, like Jose Torres, suit up, with a coaching change, no matter the next coach. Also, on an unrelated note to the coaching change, I am hopeful Stuart Holden can stay healthy throughout qualifying for WC2014. He is the perfect fit for an attacking midfielder role.

Joined: 01/11/2011

MGoPoints: 364

Needs

July 28th, 2011 at 10:49 PM ^

Nope. I checked. Edu subbed in for Clark midway thru the first half. And played well the rest of the game if I recall. Hindsight, obvs, but just a terrible, inexplicable decision after edu had played well in the previous game.

Joined: 08/05/2008

MGoPoints: 11632