Has the U.S. Soccer Federation's flirtation (obsession?) with Juergen Klinsmann been rekindled? If this report is accurate -- and there's no reason to believe it isn't -- USSF President Sunil Gulati is batting his eyelashes at the California-based German for the second time in four years.
This dance is apparently underway even though the man in charge of the U.S. team -- and who is under contract through December -- remains in limbo. Gulati met with Bob Bradley in California on Thursday, and although neither side offered comment, a source close to the situation said "absolutely nothing" was resolved about Bradley's future.
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Gulati didn't respond to a text message this evening, and for all we know, he wants Klinsmann to guide the under-23 squad into the London Olympics in 2012. (Or not.) Okay, so let's assume Gulati is leaning toward a coaching change and Klinsmann is his primary (and most realistic) candidate. Why not cut ties with Bradley first before pursuing someone else? Perhaps Bradley is Gulati's second choice -- just like four years ago when he couldn't reach a deal with Klinsmann -- and because Bradley is on the payroll, he is able to string him along for a while. If talks with "Klinsi" falter again, Bradley stays. Far-fetched but not out of the question.
Gulati likes Bradley and appreciates all that he has done, most notably reaching the final of the Confederations Cup, claiming first place in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying and winning the group stage ahead of England in South Africa. He was clearly disappointed that Bradley couldn't steer the Americans past Ghana in the round of 16. (With all due respect to the Black Stars, it was a massive opportunity missed by the U.S. program.) Gulati's biggest concern, it seems, is the team growing stale during a second four-year cycle under the same coach -- a malaise of sorts that many felt settled in under Bruce Arena leading to the 2006 World Cup, his second. Fair enough. It might very well be time for change, new energy, new perspective.
Which brings us to Klinsmann. The USSF's pursuit of the legendary striker four years ago made so much sense: With passion and a progressive approach, he had guided a young Germany squad to third place in the world. Well before then, he had settled with his family in Southern California, driving distance to the U.S. base at Home Depot Center, and had become acutely familiar with the American system, MLS's quirks and the expanding player pool. He was a hot commodity.
Four years later, Klinsmann is just another well-known former coach, having lasted a mere one season at Bayern Munich (25-9-9 in all competitions) in 2008-09. German clubs don't exactly have him on speed dial these days. And the attractive play and superior tactics exhibited by Germany at this year's World Cup, despite the absence of several injured players, demonstrated Joachim Loew's managerial brilliance. Until their semifinal defeat to eventual champion Spain, the Germans were the best performers in the tournament. Loew was Klinsmann's top lieutenant in 2006, earning wide praise for his work.
Tactical and personnel decisions aside, Klinsmann would certainly bring emotion and personality to the U.S. program. For all their fine traits, Arena and Bradley were largely subdued figures who rarely expressed themselves on the sideline and, for the most part, were reluctant to embrace public relations and media endeavors. That would not be an issue for the personable Klinsmann.
So here we are again, much like in the fall of 2006: Bradley (who at that time was the interim coach after Arena's dismissal) waiting for a decision while the USSF reportedly courts Klinsmann. No matter what the federation decides, let's hope the process is smoother than the last time. Sadly, I'm not optimistic.