Jürgen Klinsmann replaces Bradley as next U.S. coach
A March 7, 2009 file photo of Juergen Klinsmann while he was head coach of Bayern Munich. Credit: AP
U.S. Soccer announced Friday that Jürgen Klinsmann will be the next head coach of the men's national team.
The news came on the heels of Bob Bradley's sudden dismissal the day before, but the fact that Klinsmann is taking his place was less of a shock. The 46-year-old German superstar, who dominated the international game in the 90s, will be the 35th coach in the team's history. He's also the first foreign coach to lead the team since Bora Milutinovic (1991-95).
“We are excited to have Jürgen as the head coach of our men’s national team,” said Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer. “He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the program. Jürgen has had success in many different areas of the game and we look forward to the leadership he will provide on and off the field.”
Klinsmann will be officially introduced Monday in a news conference in New York. He will immediately begin preparations for his first game against the United States' biggest rival. The Americans face Mexico Aug. 10 in Philadelphia. A pair of friendlies against Costa Rica and Belgium follow in September.
“I am proud and honored to be named the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team,” Klinsmann said. “I would like to thank the U.S. Soccer Federation for the opportunity, and I’m excited about the challenge ahead. I am looking forward to bringing the team together for our upcoming match against Mexico and starting on the road toward qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.”
Klinsmann, who lives in California, earned 108 caps for Germany during his storied career and scored 47 goals -- good for a tie for third-place all time. He also won a World Cup in 1990 and the 1996 Euro Championship. As a coach, he led Germany to a third-place finish at the 2006 World Cup and coached Bayern Munich for one season in the Bundesliga.
