US soccer names Klinsmann men’s team coach

Associated Press

Now that the U.S. Soccer federation’s perennial coach-in-waiting finally has the job, Juergen Klinsmann will be expected to kick-start a stagnant men’s national team.

The USSF moved quickly Friday in hiring Klinsmann a day after the firing of Bob Bradley.

The former standout player and coach for the German national team will be a familiar name to American fans. The U.S. almost hired Klinsmann twice — first after the 2006 World Cup and again last year before giving Bradley what turned out to be a short-lived contract extension.

“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 will be introduced Monday at a news conference in New York. His first game as U.S. coach is Aug. 10 against archrival Mexico in an exhibition in Philadelphia.

Qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil begins next June.

“He is a highly accomplished player and coach with the experience and knowledge to advance the program,” USSF president Sunil Gulati said. “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.”

Former U.S. defender Alexi Lalas, who worked alongside Klinsmann for ESPN at last year’s World Cup, expects him to inject energy, but notes he’s not a miracle worker.

“It’s not as if all of sudden because Juergen Klinsmann is coach that we’re going to have an American Lionel Messi drop into our laps,” Lalas said. “The players are what they are. It’s up to him to make sure he has the correct mix of players and to motivate them, to coach them up.”