US pick Klinsmann
Published:Saturday | July 30, 2011 | 12:00 AM
NEW YORK (AP):
Juergen Klinsmann was appointed as the US national team coach yesterday, a day after Bob Bradley was fired. The former Germany coach will be a familiar face to American fans, given that he nearly got the job after the 2006 World Cup and then again last year before Bradley was given what turned out to be a short-lived contract extension to 2014.
The former Germany striker's first game in charge will be a friendly against archrival Mexico in Philadelphia on August 10. Qualifying for the next 2014 World Cup in Brazil begins next year.
"We are excited to have Juergen as the head coach of our men's national team," US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a statement.
"He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the programme. Juergen 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."
Formal introduction
Klinsmann will be formally introduced Monday at a news conference in New York.
"I am proud and honoured to be named the head coach of the U.S. men's national team," Klinsmann said. "I would like to thank the US 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 turns 47 today, has a considerable World Cup pedigree.
As a player, he scored 11 goals in three World Cups, 1990, 1994 and 1998. That ties him for sixth on the all-time scoring list, just behind Pele.
Klinsmann was a key cog for West Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning team and the German team's captain from 1994 to 1998. He retired in 1998 and moved to the United States shortly afterward.
Klinsmann and his wife, Debbie, reside in California with their two children, Jonathan and Laila.
Germany coach Joachim Loew, who was Klinsmann's assistant before becoming his successor, wished him well - and expects big changes.