When word went down that Jurgen Klinsmann was out as the manager of the United States men’s national soccer team, the name believed to be named as his replacement was Bruce Arena. Fast forward one day and that has become the reality.
Arena is back in the role of manager of the US men’s team as it looks to shrug off a shaky international showing thus far and make a push for the 2018 World Cup.
Official: Bruce Arena named US men's national team coach.
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 22, 2016
“When we considered the possible candidates to take over the Men’s National Team at this time, Bruce was at the top of the list,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati in a statement announcing the coaching change. “His experience at the international level, understanding of the requirements needed to lead a team through World Cup qualifying, and proven ability to build a successful team were all aspects we felt were vital for the next coach. We all know Bruce will be fully committed to preparing the players for the next eight qualifying games and earning a berth to an eighth-straight FIFA World Cup in Russia.”
Arena is the coach with the most wins in USMNT history and he coached the team to a World Cup quarterfinal appearance in 2002. The hopes of U.S. Soccer will be his past experience will help turn things around in enough time to find a path to qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which is becoming more and more tricky as time has gone by.
Going back to Arena is also not a move that seems to be winning over some dedicated soccer fans in the United States who are not blinded by his past success.
Everyone remembers 2002, but just a reminder of the last time Bruce Arena led the U.S. in a World Cup… pic.twitter.com/MyffFdDaix
— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) November 22, 2016
Not sure #BruceArena as HC of @ussoccer is right move,for all of #Klinsmann missteps still brought new image to position,don't like reboot
— Dog and Deuce (@DogAndDeuce) November 22, 2016
#usmnt rehire Bruce Arena. This sounds like the time when the Cavs rehired Mike Brown.
— Tyler Garret Smith (@ArenaFanatic) November 22, 2016
Bruce Arena is a West World host living out a loop as USMNT Coach #WhiteHat
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/NotBruceArena/status/800848133257195521
We’ll see how it goes. This may not end up being a long-term fix for the problem anyway, unless the United States wins the World Cup, in which case Arena can name his salary for life.
But the United States is in serious need of a good leader if it is ever going to find away to take the next step forward as a soccer contender among the best in the world. Missing the World Cup in 2018 would be a devastating blow for a country that has seen the sport grow and reach new fanbases as much as it has in recent years.
