http://www.soccerbyives.net/2014/03/kli ... ching.html So what does everyone make of the new assistants? Seems a bit odd to make changes now with only a few months to go. Plus, Berti is still the manager of another country while being an assistant for the USA? Has that ever happened before?
Yes, it seems very strange to do this 2 mos. before the WC. I hope Berti can help sort out our defensive issues but I would have preferred he had been around longer so he saw all our options at defense. Doesn't seem right to be a coach in two different national team set ups either
I can't comment on Vasquez's departure, but Berti is being named "special advisor" not assistant coach. I have a feeling that he'll be dealing more with Klinsmann and the other coaches than any of the team members. His tasks - aid in training plan development, travel to watch our opponents, prepare scouting reports - don't point to any coaching duties.
If you remember from Brian Straus' "the sky is falling" article from last year, some of the anonymous quotes were negative about Vasquez and how he didn't know/do much. As for Berti, he has played against both Germany and Portugal a couple times in the last year or two with Azerbaijan. And he used to manage Nigeria so probably some experience against Ghana. That all said, I have no clue how good/bad this will be for the US.
The Vogts part sounds pretty minor. It clearly says advisor and not coach. Based on the description of the role, I can only see his involvement as a good thing. No clue on Vasquez but since it means Ramos moves up, I'm good with that aspect. The timing would suggest whatever the situation, it was something JK was hoping to weather through the WC but for whatever reason, something changed. We'll just have to wait see if there's any change in performances to pass judgment but I doubt it'll be a big deal.
