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http://www.espnfc.com/united-states...s-manager-of-united-states-mens-national-team
After the US men's team lost its first two games, including an embarrassing 4-0 drubbing at Costa Rica, Klinsmann has been fired. He will be replaced by former national team coach Bruce Arena, not a bad choice.
I couldn't be more pleased. Apart from the fact that he has been ineffective in getting the best out of the team, his treatment of Landon Donovan in the last World Cup was, and remains, unforgivable.
Donovan, a man who arguably did more for American men's soccer than any other player, took a hiatus from playing professionally, when after playing nonstop since his teenage years, he announced he was totally burnt out and needed to regroup. In Klinsmann's world, this was an unforgivable sin.
When Donovan came back, he did not demand a place back on the national team. He worked his way back in, accepted whatever role he was given, and played extremely well, giving the team some talent, leadership, and spark.
In the opinion of most who follow soccer, he deserved not only to be on the World Cup roster, but to start. He was arguably the best player on the team in many games. But when the 2014 World Cup team was announced, Klinsmann had left him off the roster completely.
Donovan, in his 30s, was hoping for his final World Cup to be the culmination of his soccer career. And he deserved it – not only was he an icon, he was playing at the top of his game. He obviously was bitterly disappointed, but took the high road, refusing to slam Klinsmann, and wishing the US team the best.
But Klinsmann, out of personal dislike and personal spite cared more about making some sort of obscure point than doing what was best for the team. Klinsmen's son even tweeted "ha ha ha ha ha" when it was announced Donovan had been left off.
Then when Josie Altidore went out for the tournament in the first game due to injury, there was no one to replace him.
Klinsmann has never apologized for this disgusting slight, and in fact has never apologized or taken responsibility for any of the teams play. It's always the fault of the players, never the fault of his training or tactical decisions which have included some very odd experiments.
Good riddance – hopefully it's not too late for the US to right the ship and qualify for the next World Cup.
After the US men's team lost its first two games, including an embarrassing 4-0 drubbing at Costa Rica, Klinsmann has been fired. He will be replaced by former national team coach Bruce Arena, not a bad choice.
I couldn't be more pleased. Apart from the fact that he has been ineffective in getting the best out of the team, his treatment of Landon Donovan in the last World Cup was, and remains, unforgivable.
Donovan, a man who arguably did more for American men's soccer than any other player, took a hiatus from playing professionally, when after playing nonstop since his teenage years, he announced he was totally burnt out and needed to regroup. In Klinsmann's world, this was an unforgivable sin.
When Donovan came back, he did not demand a place back on the national team. He worked his way back in, accepted whatever role he was given, and played extremely well, giving the team some talent, leadership, and spark.
In the opinion of most who follow soccer, he deserved not only to be on the World Cup roster, but to start. He was arguably the best player on the team in many games. But when the 2014 World Cup team was announced, Klinsmann had left him off the roster completely.
Donovan, in his 30s, was hoping for his final World Cup to be the culmination of his soccer career. And he deserved it – not only was he an icon, he was playing at the top of his game. He obviously was bitterly disappointed, but took the high road, refusing to slam Klinsmann, and wishing the US team the best.
But Klinsmann, out of personal dislike and personal spite cared more about making some sort of obscure point than doing what was best for the team. Klinsmen's son even tweeted "ha ha ha ha ha" when it was announced Donovan had been left off.
Then when Josie Altidore went out for the tournament in the first game due to injury, there was no one to replace him.
Klinsmann has never apologized for this disgusting slight, and in fact has never apologized or taken responsibility for any of the teams play. It's always the fault of the players, never the fault of his training or tactical decisions which have included some very odd experiments.
Good riddance – hopefully it's not too late for the US to right the ship and qualify for the next World Cup.