Bruce Arena named as new United States boss after Jurgen Klinsmann departure

The federation confirmed Tuesday that Klinsmann will be replaced by LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena, who led the US national team from 1998 to 2006.

However, the newly appointed coach was quick to dismiss comments he has made in the past. Arena wasted no time to walk back on the remarks. “I hate to say this now to Sunil: I would’ve done this for free”.

Bruce Arena will replace Klinsmann as head coach.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s time as United States national team head coach has come to an end before he expected, but that does not mean that he is leaving the post with bitter feelings.

“It wasn’t easy at a personal or professional level but it’s what I felt we had to do to give us the best chance for success in the next 18 months”, Gulati said. “I’ve had 10 years on the field at the club level and I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented players in the world and understanding how they work and how to build a team”.

Arena, 65, who signed a two-year contract, is considered a short-term solution to get the US qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation. When US Soccer fired Klinsmann, they bought out the last two years of his contract. “I can only speak for myself, but I’m very excited to work with Bruce again”.

“He’s a wonderful guy – just what we need right now”, Doug Logan, the first M.L.S. commissioner, told The New York Times on November 21.

Arena, 65, repeatedly asserted his confidence that he can lead the squad out of the doldrums and reverse its dismal start to the final stage of World Cup qualifying.

He was let go after the team’s first-round elimination by Ghana in 2006.

In 2007, Arena found his way back to the Major League Soccer as he was hired on by the New York Red Bulls. Klinsmann had seven on the 2014 team.

He takes over a US team still stinging after back-to-back World Cup qualifying losses to Mexico and Costa Rica. 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. 2013, another record year and winning the Gold Cup. The U.S.is at the bottom of the six-team CONCACAF group on goal differential.

Arena will assume the role on December 1.

As expected, his previous thoughts on foreign-born USMNT players immediately came up in his conference call with the media. Five German-Americans were on his 23-man World Cup roster.

“I’ve learned a lot”, Arena said.

“I believe that anyone who has a passport in the United States is eligible to play for our national team”.