You’re the most successful coach in American soccer history.
You’ve established a college dynasty.
You’ve
established one of the most successful club sides in MLS that won both
domestic championships and international titles under your leadership.
You’ve coached the National team in its most successful era.
So, now what?
By Andrew Dixon
MIAMI, FL (Mar 11, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- That’s the question this Grown Man was asking himself while reading the interview he gave to Goal.com editor Marc Connolly. Reading it gave the impression that he was in victory lap mode, speaking as the wise old grizzled soccer coaching veteran with Frank Sinatra’s “I did it my way” or Jay-Z’s “Encore” playing in the background.
He talked about how every where he’s been he’s always built programs. A successful program at UVA where so many players have gone on to professional and even international careers. A successful program at DC United that remains one of the most decorated clubs in MLS. He takes credit (I think rightfully so) for building up at National team that he claims was financially ruined after the 1998 World Cup.
He brushes off the disappointing results of the 2006 World Cup claiming that expectations were too high for the US considering the group the US was drawn into and the “support players who play on mid-level clubs,” that comprised the team. He even takes credit for building a decent side from what was left of RBNY before he took over.
I don’t necessarily agree with everything he stated. I still think the US could have advanced from that group. It’s a damning indictment when one of your players correctly declares that the team was unprepared for the opening match of World Cup as Brian McBride suggested. The US seemed surprised by the off the ball movement of the Czechs and that game was over by half time.
Yes, the US got screwed against Ghana, but the US also didn’t get it done.
I
do believe Arena was too cautious with his lineups starting one forward
in the games against Italy and Ghana when we needed points.
What’s more, for all of the talk about building RBNY after inheriting a team with little quality, they still sputtered down the stretch and watched the later rounds of the playoffs the same way I did.
Nevertheless, Arena’s overall accomplishments are still admirable and can’t be discounted.
So now what?
He claims to be retired. He claims to be enjoying watching soccer and speaking at (and limiting his coaching to) clinics. But he also talks about pursing the next challenge, quite possibly in a front office, though he wouldn’t rule out a return to the sidelines and I think that’s where he’ll end up. Perhaps with one of MLS newer teams, because as of right now, he’s done as a coach.
Honestly, where is he going to go? Europe, as I’ve stated in a past column, is out. No European side, mid-level or above is going to turn the reins of their club over to an American, let alone to one who some feel was out coached in some respects at the aforementioned 2006 World Cup. Though his resume is full of accomplishments in American circles, they mean little to the wider world. Besides, can you imagine Bruce Arena dealing with the mass media surrounding a big name European club? Have you ever heard the man in a press conference?
US Soccer? I can’t imagine. Arena’s post World Cup ’06 break up with US Soccer was on some Jennifer Aniston-Vince Vaughn stuff with Arena blasting US Soccer President Sunil Gulati as a “micromanager” and “superfan." While a technical director or player development position might appeal to his self-image as a builder, I imagine he’s done with US Soccer. It's so improbable, that it's barely worth mentioning how such a move would over shadow his former assistant Bob Bradley, especially if the US has a string of indifferent results.
I can’t see him coaching anywhere in MLS either. After establishing the first dynasty in DC and not getting it done at Exit 16W with RBNY, I can’t see him trying to prove himself in a small market like say, Columbus. LA already has a coach. While the expansion team in Philadelphia might intrigue him, allowing him to stay in the northeast, he’s coached for 30 years and while it was clear that he still enjoys it, it’s equally clear that he’s enjoying the break.
Where I could still see him is in Philadelphia in a team president role, similar to that of Kevin Payne in DC. It would allow him to build a program from the ground up, be influential in player personnel moves without having to answer to other Grown Men with Opinions.
He’d still be involved with the daily operations of a club without having to deal with the daily practice grind and game day stress… unless he decides to swoop in and take over (see Riley, Pat, 2005)
Given his college, MLS and international experience what team wouldn’t want to him to build their organization? Besides, he’d be motivated to cement his legacy as one of the great figures in US Soccer history and do so in a way that few of us could claim to have done. Admit it, you know can see BA wanting to call the shots and creating the type of club that would by the model of MLS sides to come.
As a coach, he’s got little to prove, certainly to this Grown Man. Time for him to step up and make his name elsewhere.
Then again this is just one Grown Alpha Man’s Opinion….
Andrew Dixon is a soccer writer based in Miami, a weekly columnist for USSoccerPlayers, and host of ‘Back of the Net,’ which you can hear Saturday nights on the Black Athlete Sports Network. Contact him at: golnoir@golnoir.net
