Where does Bob Bradley go from here? His success could potentially open the door to a move o Europe, and he continues to legitimize American coaches all over the world.
Further World Cup wins might land him the ultimate prize: A job in the big leagues of Europe.
No American has ever held a high-profile coaching job overseas. Even after leading the U.S. to a surprise appearance in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, Bruce Arena didn’t attract any alluring offers.
He returned to MLS to coach the Red Bulls, then the L.A. Galaxy.
But U.S. soccer is in a different place these days. Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey are accepted talents in England. Jozy Altidore commanded an eight-figure transfer fee. The Americans reached the Confederations Cup final last year by toppling Spain, the world’s No. 1 team at the time.
If a run to the final eight doesn’t land Bradley a European offer, perhaps the conspiracy theorists were right all along: American coaches get no respect.
On the flip side, Bradley likely will lose his job should the U.S. fail to advance. U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati has hinted at the consequences by citing World Cup games as "a large part" of future considerations.
"This is a four-year cycle. A lot of measurement comes down to the three games we play in the first round and hopefully some games we play in the second round. [Bradley] knows that, he accepts that, he agrees with that," Gulati told USA Today from South Africa.
No American has ever held a high-profile coaching job overseas. Even after leading the U.S. to a surprise appearance in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, Bruce Arena didn’t attract any alluring offers.
He returned to MLS to coach the Red Bulls, then the L.A. Galaxy.
But U.S. soccer is in a different place these days. Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey are accepted talents in England. Jozy Altidore commanded an eight-figure transfer fee. The Americans reached the Confederations Cup final last year by toppling Spain, the world’s No. 1 team at the time.
If a run to the final eight doesn’t land Bradley a European offer, perhaps the conspiracy theorists were right all along: American coaches get no respect.
On the flip side, Bradley likely will lose his job should the U.S. fail to advance. U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati has hinted at the consequences by citing World Cup games as "a large part" of future considerations.
"This is a four-year cycle. A lot of measurement comes down to the three games we play in the first round and hopefully some games we play in the second round. [Bradley] knows that, he accepts that, he agrees with that," Gulati told USA Today from South Africa.
"Would I like Bob to continue? Sure. And I’d like to win seven games."
Three years as America’s coach culminates with Bradley’s final exam today — accounting for 75 percent of the grade, or thereabouts — and we’ll see if the Americans can fulfill the expectations of advancing to the next round, or if they’ll repeat the failures and changeovers of 2006.
Any second-round games are Bradley’s extra credit, and perhaps his ticket to the English Premier League.
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