Five Myths About Klinsmann's Coaching Debunked

BarryWhite · Jun 23, 2014

Five Myths About Klinsman's Coaching Debunked

From Soccerly.com

If you haven't visited the site I will recommend their content.

by Simon Evans on Jun.23.2014

Jurgen Klinsmann came into this World Cup with a section of the soccer media and a substantial part of the fan base strongly questioning his abilities as national team coach - despite the successful three years he has had in charge. So how well have the memes of Klinsmann's critics stood up to two games in the World Cup so far?

1. Klinsmann is just a motivator who doesn’t have a clue about tactics.

The way Klinsmann has set his midfield up in this tournament – with Kyle Beckerman deep in a defensive role and Jermaine Jones marauding with Michael Bradley in his favored ‘general’ role in the centre of the park has allowed the U.S. to close down opponents quickly as well as maintain plenty of passing options when the Americans have the ball. In other words – exactly what you want a midfield to do. Inserting DeAndre Yedlin as a substitute to double-up with Fabian Johnson on the right was an inspired, surprise move that almost delivered victory. The U.S. have had a good shape, balance and structure in both their games so far.

2. Klinsmann’s obsession with fitness work is excessive.

Some were puzzled when the coach started the pre-World Cup training camp by emphasizing the need to ‘catch up’ with other teams in terms of fitness. ‘Two a day’ training sessions left the players heavy-legged for the opening warm-up game with Azerbaijan prompting more panicking from pundits. Yet when it mattered – the U.S. have been superbly fit, playing at a high-tempo throughout the game both with and without the ball. The physical conditioning work has clearly paid off. The decision to opt for players with pace at the expense of more experienced, but slower, alternatives, looks the right one so far.

3. Klinsmann is too loyal to Jermaine Jones who is a ‘liability’.

After his outstanding all-round display against Ghana, bustling all over the field, winning balls, keeping possession and pushing forward, Jones was excellent again against Portugal. His superb long-range strike to bring the Americans level showed his power and technique. With Michael Bradley not yet able to find his true form, Jones has become the heart and soul of this team. His aggression has been controlled and his stamina extraordinary. Klinsmann’s faith in Jones has been entirely vindicated.

4. Klinsmann doesn’t respect MLS players.

Where to start with this one? Not only has Klinsmann taken more MLS players to the World Cup than Bob Bradley did four years ago, he has also given them key roles in his team. Sporting KC’s Matt Besler at centre-half has been dependable. Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman, a 32-year-old MLS ‘lifer’, has been given the task of anchoring the midfield. Seattle Sounders’ Yedlin, a player whose inclusion puzzled many, quickly showed his value on the right flank. Klinsmann may have criticisms of MLS and want to see more Americans in the big leagues in Europe but he has certainly been willing to give key roles to MLS players.

5. Klinsmann’s German-Americans don’t care enough and have upset team chemistry.

Does anyone other than hardcore ‘soccer nativists’ believe this one anymore? Was John Brook’s goal celebration against Ghana not enough? Has 180 minutes of Jermaine Jones not been convincing? Fabian Johnson destroying Portugal’s left-side? Klinsmann singing the anthem more noticably than many American-born players on his team? What more do they have to do? Beat Germany and celebrate it?
Click to expand...

nevzter · Jun 24, 2014

Those are interesting points that I dare not comment upon again, but thanks for sharing as that's a good read. He's not the idiot at the cupboard. But the match against Germany will tell the tale.

SoCalJoe · Jun 26, 2014

Worthy of a :text-bump: Considering all the factors going into today (less rest than Germany, having to play in Manuas on Sunday, Jozy's continued injury, shock ending to last match) JK got a pretty gritty performance out of the squad, and deservingly we are through. Who didn't see Omar in the starting lineup and was fearing the worst? Omar had a terrific match and made JK look good for trusting him. Will he have the team ready to go to put in a better performance on Tuesday? You better believe it.

nevzter · Jun 26, 2014

The Belgians better be ready because I believe the US is going to come out guns blazing and JK won't care that the Belgians pretty much have an "all star" team for their squad. If there's any "top side" that the US can go blow to blow with, I'd say Belgium is one of those sides - they've not looked dominant and I'd gladly lose the pool if the US knocked them out.

HatterDon · Jun 27, 2014

There's a difference between this WC squad and others I have seen -- I only go back to 1990, by the way. In the past we've been fit, well-organized, and uneven in terms of big-time experience. This summer, there's a distinct feeling that IF WE PLAY WELL we're a threat to anyone. Well, anyone who isn't Brazil. It's going to be hard for anyone to beat 11 players and three officials and that's what it's going to take to beat Brazil.

With or without Jozy, with or without Bradley, if we play well, I really don't fear anyone. This is new territory for me.

Forum	Title	Date
Prem talk, Those Other Leagues, and International	Five Reasons to Watch MLS	Feb 29, 2008
Prem talk, Those Other Leagues, and International	Channel Five's {UK} Soccer USA	Aug 5, 2007

Five Myths About Klinsmann's Coaching Debunked

BarryWhite Well-Known Member

nevzter Well-Known Member

SoCalJoe Well-Known Member

nevzter Well-Known Member

HatterDon Moderator

Share This Page

About Us

League Standings

Useful Searches

Five Myths About Klinsmann's Coaching Debunked

BarryWhite Well-Known Member

nevzter Well-Known Member

SoCalJoe Well-Known Member

nevzter Well-Known Member

HatterDon Moderator

Share This Page