Jürgen Klinsmann

Right, so I'll start off this section of the board.

Jürgen Klinsmann - really?

 

Whether Klinsmann is the actual right choice is still to be determined, though it is a step in the right direction, in appointing an overseas coach that has some experience playing the European game.
We've seen the difference the likes McBride, Dempsey, Altidore, Bocanegra, Howard, Spector, etc (you get the picture) have brought to the way the USMNT play. They bring that bit of experience, not only having played against the opposition players, but also the tactics used by the coaches of those teams.

The problems any new coach faces, be it at whatever level, is that everyone has different expectations as to what 'success' means. To some, beating the Mexicans is the only success that's required, for others making the WCF every 4 years, others it will be getting to the 1/4 s in WCF, and for others, just a greater win-lose ratio, no matter who the opposition.

 

I know what you're saying Heather but the difference between Fulham and the USA is the former has the Thames barrier (well when Jol decides to use it). In contrast, the US is a mess at the back and has a coach who, according to Philip Lahm, left it up to his Bayern defenders to work out the tactics. At the other end we've scored one goal in three games under Klinsi. I want to be positive about this but 30 minutes of exciting soccer here and there is not entirely promising and is something the US has always been able to muster. Also I was initially hopeful that Klinsmann would find himself a USA version of Joachim Loew, but he's decided to ditch his plans of "trying out" assistant coaches and has settled on his long time right hand man, Martin Vasquez.

My brother lives in Stuttgart now and he says the Germans think it's a joke that we hired him. :cry:

 

Something I have always felt is that I feel countries should only be allowed to hire coaches of their own nationality. I think its a joke an Italian manager manges England...and now a German in the USA.

I pass no judgement on Jurgen...YET.

 

I agree about the coaches nationality.

As far as Klinsmann, I like deadspin's take on it
http://deadspin.com/5828755/jurgen-...ited-states-will-win-a-world-cup-anytime-soon

 

I wasn't thrilled with Jurgen being hired, mainly because too many Americans were wanting Jurgen to take over any time the U.S. had a slip up under Bradley (who I maintain was a decent coach). Jurgen is treated like some sort of savior and that annoys me.

So far, I suppose I can't say he's passing or failing as coach, but he had better start producing something positive real quick or I'll be the loudest to cry for his sacking.

 

Der Kaiser has experimented with lineups/players, so the early results are nothing to take stock in. As Mo pointed out, unless the backline can be rebuilt (the worst back 4 for the US that I can remember) it doesn't matter who's in charge. It's a long road thru WC qualifying and unless there's is an influx of talent and/or growth of the young players we know about it, there will be some serious bumps and maybe even a roadblock on the way to Brazil. Klins loves to chill w/the familia in Manhatten Beach, and would not be surprised in the least if he determines that it's too much work to see it thru 2014.

 

Doesnt Bradley live in Manhatten Beach? Surprised then to hear der kommissar would like to meet him and pick his brain. You'd think they'd run into each other.

 

AWESOME Heather!! The fun can really begin now.

 

I agree that would be the ideal solution to such things, though the reason England has an foreign coach is simply because there was no English coach - worth his/her salt - willing to take on the job. Though I guess our very own esteemed Lawrie could have (with an Ecuadorian father and NI mother and born in the smoke, he had a choice of three), and made just as much a mess as any other the others - apart from McClaren - nobody could be as bad as he was.

Ideal worlds apart though, who would you have chosen to take up the mantle from Bradley?

 

Dominic Kinnear for starters.

 

I agree, he is a great candidate, but would he take the job if offered though?
He has been so successful the Earthquakes/Dynamo, it makes you wonder why he wasn't offered the job or didn't take it up. :?

 

Yeah I agree with Heather about Gulati always intending to hire Klinsmann.

Of course he's not ready yet but I sure hope someday we see Caleb Porter coaching for the US senior team. He's actually already an assistant for the U18 team. What he has done at Akron is phenomenal. He lost most of his team to the draft last year and if you watch Akron this year they still look in a different class than every other team. He knows how to find players that will fit into his system and they are a joy to watch. He has risen the bar for all of college soccer not just in terms of the play but also attendance and marketing.

 

Of the American managers I think Sigi Schmidt is the top choice, and if things go poorly in qualifying and Der Kaiser bails, I can see Sigi coming to the rescue.

 

I like the energy he brings to the team though. He genuinely seems to be having fun and I think the team feeds off his positive energy. Don, I hope you're wrong about his work ethic and will have to wait and see. But I did feel like it was time for a change.

 

He's a good cheerleader. Anything more? I'll believe it when I see it. Our defense is a serious issue and Klinsmann at the helm has me biting my nails. Hopefully Boca, Dolo, and Gooch can defy their years and their injury because their experience may be needed.