7 Facts About Hiring Juergen Klinsmann

The U.S. Soccer Federation announced the hiring of Germain International Juergen Klinsmann after ousting Bob Bradley. He has been their leading candidate for a while now but what does it mean for the future of American soccer? Klinsmann has a big personality and is generally supported in the U.S. but will this translate to success on the field?

1. Juergen Klinsmann is Better than other Foreign Coaches

If we're going after foreign coaches, we should choose someone who has a vested interest in the United States for years and is familiar with the soccer landscape. He is more likely to carry a sense of ownership over the long-term success of American soccer than a rent-a-coach like Guus Hiddink, Raphael Benitez or Marcello Lippi.


2. Juergen Klinsmann is not an Experienced Coach

Klinsi is not a career coach and his record has been mixed. His biggest success was commanding the German National Team from 2004-2006. He took a demoralized, inconsistent team following The European Championships of 2004 and led them to a 3rd place finish at the 2006 World Cup. Klinsmann successfully shaked things up by bringing on younger players and installing new (American-style) fitness programs.

Following his time with Germany, he returned in 2008 to head Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich. This time around, he wasn't able to replicate the success he had with the national team. After a largely disastrous start, Klinsmann was ousted by the board before the end of the season. He has not held a head coaching since, instead working as an advisor for Toronto FC.

The question is whether Klinsi can recreate the magic of 2006. If he doesn't find a talented assistant like he had in Joachim Loew for Germany, we could be in trouble.


3. He's Flexible and Pragmatic

What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in bold dedication to accomplishing his mission. Klinsmann was able to push through a number of tough but important reforms in German football during his stint as the national team coach. He took chances on younger players, giving them the opportunity to get experience around more established players.

The big knock on Klinsmann is that he is more of a leader than a coach. This is a non-issue if he is able to produce results. As long as he continues to do a good job of surrounding himself with quality personnel, the results should follow is largely credited as being the brains behind their success at the 2006 World Cup. Klinsmann will undoubtedly be seeking a talented, experience tactician to compliment his presence in the coming days.


3. People like him in the United States

One thing is for sure, Juergen Klinsmann will be facing a lot less scrutiny as the U.S. coach compared to his time in Germany.

For some reason, Americans seem to love the idea of hiring Klinsmann. The U.S. Soccer Federation tried to sign him up in 2006 and 2010 but could never agree to terms. Every time his name has come up as a possible replacement for Bob Bradley, the collective soccer community is generally supportive.

A poll by the Washington Post confirms that people in the United States generally have a good opinion of Klinsmann and are willing to give him a shot. As a new coach, you can't ask for anything more. He needs to be careful though because us Americans are a fickle bunch who will be quick to withdraw support the minute things so sour. With another big match against Mexico on August 10th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia looming, this could start sooner than later.

4. Juergen Klinsmann Should Incorporate American Coaches

With his pragmatic nature, you would expect Klinsmann to build a cohesive unit of coaches who can win the player's confidence. One way to do this is by bringing in some American coaches who have a history with the players.

Any way you look at it, there is just something different about the connection between countrymen when it's international soccer. I'm sure Juergen will do a fine job of connecting with the players but there needs to be someone in the mix who has grown up playing soccer in America and can relate to the players.
Additionally, this is a good move for the future because America needs to be aggressively developing the next generation of coaches. The U.S. should not get in the habit of outsourcing our coaching positions unless we always want to be reliant on foreigners.

Claudio Reyna should be his assistant coach. Not only does he have the American soccer bonafides to command a presence among players, he is the U.S. Youth Soccer Technical Director. Who better to compliment Klinsmann's bravado and inspirational style than an experienced technician like Reyna? He represents the new guard of coaches in America who understand the modern game and know what it takes to succeed at the highest level.


5. The U.S. Soccer Federation should be preparing for an American coach

Hiring a foreign coach is a short-term fix, the U.S. needs to prepare the next line of American coaches for the big stage.

As a matter of principle, it seems wrong to be hiring a foreign citizen to coach the national team. The national team should represent the citizens of the country, not the best money can buy elsewhere.
The U.S. Soccer Federation should do whatever they can to support young American coaches who are succeeding. Let them know as early as possible that they are in the running to be the next coach so they prove themselves at their current job. Knowing they have a chance to be the next national team coach is a huge incentive to do well.

An excellent candidate to be the next coach is Jason Kreis. He's made the transition from star player to successful coach with Real Salt Lake.


6. U.S. Soccer Fans need to Focus on his Results

Klinsmann talks a big game and Americans love a big personality but this has to be put in check. Don't be blinded by his celebrity, focus on the success. U.S. Soccer fans should give him time to work but they also need to scrutinize his results.

Since our player pool is relatively small, there aren't too many wholesale changes Klinsmann will be able to make to the team. His whole focus should be on figuring out how to get the Americans to perform at their best, every game. If he can't find a way to produce a more consistent team that doesn't give up early goals to the opposition, he should have the same fate as Bob Bradley.

The point is, don't be seduced by big name foreign coaches because their success is usually marginal. When is the last time a World Cup winner had a coach from a different country? Has this practice worked for England?

7. The U.S. will be a More Exciting Squad under Klinsmann

One thing we know about Klinsmann is that he was a world-class striker for Germany. Attacking is a mentality and can't easily be taught by people who thrive on defense. Juergen will be a fresh alternative to Bob Bradley's defense-first mentality. One of the largest problems with the U.S. has been finding ways to score in the run of play. For too long, the team has relied on set pieces for goals. He should do a better job of organizing an effective attack than Bradley.

A knock on Bradley from most commentators is that he relied on personnel he was personally connected to and excluded other worthwhile players. Bradley's long tenure may have created a stale environment for the player pool, Klinsmann will do a great job shaking things up. Additionally, he will have no hesitations giving new, younger players opportunities on the field if they are deserved.

The U.S. will never be able to beat the Brazil, Holland, etc.. if we can't mount a credible attacking threat. Sitting back and waiting for the counter attack will only work when these teams are having an off day. American teams need to assert themselves and make these teams defend or we will always be scraping for results. Klinsmann will hopefully empower the players to take chances and score more goals.

If Klinsmann can help add some offensive prowess to a squad/nation who has had a defense-first mentality, he might be around for a long time.