Pekerman nears deal to lead U.S. team

[deviant]

So much for Kinsmann, I really didnt like the way Pekerman handled Argentina when he took over from Bielsa but hes good at building up young talent lets see what he can do.

MEXICO CITY (Ticker) - Former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman is on the verge of taking over the United States national team.

According to the U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati, a deal is only being held up by some minor stumbling blocks.

"We did not sign the contract yet, but it just lacks some details," Gulati told Mexican newspaper La Opinion on Friday.

Pekerman, who took Argentina to the quarterfinals at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, is believed to already have an assistant and translator in place to work in North America should he take charge.

His assistant is expected to be Fernando Clavijo, who coached Haiti in 2003 and has also worked in Major League Soccer.

"Clavijo already signed his contract, but did Pekerman do it?" asked a journalist from the paper.

"Yes, we will see it in the Copa de Oro for Women's final (on November 26)," responded Gulati.

According to La Opinion, Pekerman would have green-lighted the decision to accept the United States' invitation to the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela.

Others linked with the post, held by Bruce Arena from 1998 through the 2006 World Cup, include former Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann; Sir Alex Ferguson's No. 2 at Manchester United, Carlos Queiroz; and Chivas USA coach Bob Bradley.

[cartbran]

Hmmm, I wonder if this is true? You better not be screwing with me here!:D

I really can't say if Peckerman or Kinsman would be better for the U.S. I think Klinsman could better relate to the players and media (language/culture, etc), but Peckerman is a much better tactical coach and should improve our style of play quite a bit. Playing in CONCACAF, the US cannot really play that Klinsman open attacking style because we would get owned on the counterattack.

I guess we just have to wait and see. Thanks for the link.

[sweed]

i thought klinsi would be the better fit. oh well maybe he can come back and coach germany :p :)

[deviant]

Hmmm, I wonder if this is true? You better not be screwing with me here!:D

I really can't say if Peckerman or Kinsman would be better for the U.S. I think Klinsman could better relate to the players and media (language/culture, etc), but Peckerman is a much better tactical coach and should improve our style of play quite a bit. Playing in CONCACAF, the US cannot really play that Klinsman open attacking style because we would get owned on the counterattack.

I guess we just have to wait and see. Thanks for the link.
Tactically are you kidding me man hes horrible in the tactics field. Thats his downside. Klinsmann would have suited u way better with the type of players that u have.

[west501]

*homer scream*
I don't know, man
pekerman is definitely more of a motivator than a tactician and his success with argentina (he should have won the senior world cup as well) was mostly based on his deep understanding of all of the players on the squad, which came in part from coaching most of them at the youth level
I couldn't believe how all of the egos were erased and how unified the team was in germany
the US has great team unity based on their permanent fish out of water status in the sport and maybe pekerman could tap into this, but he doesn't really have a talented pool of players to choose from to make up for his lack of tactical astuteness
I understand some people may feel differently about the US team unity in 2006..I think it was there but they were outclassed and unlucky

[chauchey]

Tactically are you kidding me man hes horrible in the tactics field. Thats his downside. .
WHAT? :eek: seriously man...i thought if anything, that was his strong suit...his sub decisions where his weak ones... :p :(

What a cue for the USA. You're getting a really good coach. I cant believe Argentina didnt lure him back for another 4 years. All arguments aside, i think he'll grow the talent and nurture a good atmosphere in US national futbol.

I couldn't believe how all of the egos were erased and how unified the team was in germany
Couldnt agree with you more.

[Ziegler1988]

If this is true, I'd be thrilled. I either wanted Klinsmann or Pekerman, and if we get Pekerman it would be a huge coup for us.

[titeo]

Good news. This would be good. Pekerman is awesome, especially with sprouting talents. I bet he can pull this US team into a replica of Argentina, like what Zico did to Japan.

[slipperydave]

have you ever heard the phrase "you can't polish a turd"?

[indomitable_lion]

Considering that the USA's last coach was Bruce Arena, I can only take positives from Pekerman getting the job.

[west501]

Considering that the USA's last coach was Bruce Arena, I can only take positives from Pekerman getting the job.

fair enough :o
he was pretty terrible, in hindsight (or not)
v/WBkUh9JnSKE

[ELLADA]

Why the Bruce Arena bashing.. he did lead his country to the WC 1/4 finals... which is exactly the same thing Pekerman has done with a "slightly" more talented team.

Does that mean that Klinsmann is going to coach Canada? We will give him all the maple syrop and poutine cheese in the world to entice him!!!

[chauchey]

Does that mean that Klinsmann is going to coach Canada? We will give him all the maple syrop and poutine cheese in the world to entice him!!!
Now that would be something!! :eek: Perhaps a diplomatic passport would be more of a lure... :p But since our program is in such disaray, i think it would take not only alot of money, but i'm sure his contract would be contingent on us bringing in some big names to remake our NT program, or at least run it properly for his tenure. :rolleyes:

Otherwise he's just asking for trouble... :o

[Ziegler1988]

http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=extratime&id=2428

[Jason]

Pekerman's crap, I'd rather have Arena (who I actually rate). Failing to land Kilnnsman is not acceptable.

Dave, go polish yourself

[cartbran]

Why the Bruce Arena bashing.. he did lead his country to the WC 1/4 finals... which is exactly the same thing Pekerman has done with a "slightly" more talented team.

Does that mean that Klinsmann is going to coach Canada? We will give him all the maple syrop and poutine cheese in the world to entice him!!!
Yeah, but he also led us to last place in France '98. In all honesty, he did the best he could with the talent we have, but he also came under a lot of criticism for his squad selections. He definitely had his crew of guys that he would never give up on, even if they were total shite. The U.S. has a lot of talented youngsters and a lot of talented players playing in Europe that did not come up through ODP or Project-40 and many of these guys have deserved chances for a long time. But for some reason, Steve always like guys like Marshall (when Jay Demerit is playing like a hero at Watford), Zavagin, Ralston, etc. These guys wouldn't rate in any league. How they kept getting caps is beyond me.

[deviant]

Pekerman's crap, I'd rather have Arena (who I actually rate). Failing to land Kilnnsman is not acceptable.

Dave, go polish yourself
Think of it this way if any of your players ever need a cab driver Mr. Pekerman is a professional :D :p

[Ziegler1988]

Yeah, but he also led us to last place in France '98.
That was Steve Sampson; Arena took over after France '98.

[dimz]

Pekerman's crap, I'd rather have Arena (who I actually rate). Failing to land Kilnnsman is not acceptable.

Dave, go polish yourself
surely ur taking the piss.

[funkdoctorspock]

Arena rated higher than Pekerman... :rolleyes:

Utter comedy.

[dimz]

Arena rated higher than Pekerman... :rolleyes:

Utter comedy.
What's worse, he actually rates Klinsmann above Pekerman as well. :eek:

[Jason]

I rate them for the US National Team and what I think the team will respond to. I think Pekerman is the worst choice of the three for getting results and building the sport here. To me, an American playing soccer for 30+ years it's a no brainer.

[ELLADA]

Arena rated higher than Pekerman... :rolleyes:

Utter comedy.


What is utter comedy is Pekerman's substitutions in the Germany match. Has this guy ever played Football Manager??? Who in the world removes one of the most influential midfielders when you are controlling the match? Make up an excuse or something, say he was injured.

Arena reached the 1/4 finals with a group of overachievers. Argentina were the toast of the summer but their sudden exit made them a disappointment, no matter how beautiful their play was leading up to that.

[west501]

I'll tell you what is funny!
you rate both coaches on one game rather than their careers
I agreed early on in the thread that pekerman is not the best suited for the job, but don't make me laugh with comparative statements between the two coaches or "slightly" different sides :o
if anything pekerman is overqualified
give arena the youth side, let him win 3 of 4 youth world cups and barely miss the senior title and maybe we can talk (pigs will fly though)

[ELLADA]

There is a saying... "you are only as good as your last game". Not that Arena's is much better. :)

It is true what you are saying, but there are some people making ill-informed statements, just thought that I would kindly remind them the facts...

[west501]

There is a saying... "you are only as good as your last game". Not that Arena's is much better. :)



well if I'm shopping around for my next national team coach I'm looking a bit further back!

[dimz]

I'll tell you what is funny!
you rate both coaches on one game rather than their careers
I agreed early on in the thread that pekerman is not the best suited for the job, but don't make me laugh with comparative statements between the two coaches or "slightly" different sides :o
if anything pekerman is overqualified
give arena the youth side, let him win 3 of 4 youth world cups and barely miss the senior title and maybe we can talk (pigs will fly though)
Exactly. And the USA barely made it to the quarterfinals in 2002. First game, good result, but they could barely stay in it towards the end. Second game, completely outplayed by S. Korea who didn't win cuz their strikers are crap. Third game, battered by Poland. Second round beat Mexico, a team you normally have been beating recently and clearly know very well. Quarter finals, lost to the other overachievers Germany (and don't bring up that hand ball bullshit cuz u got awya with one in the Mexico match; directly after that u scored).

[cartbran]

While it was fun to read this argument about who rates more, the point is moot. Klinsmann out. Peckerman out. Bob Bradley in.

Who's Bob Bradley? Exactly, he led Chivas USA to a last place finish in MLS last season. Aside from that he was head coach of Chicago when the won MLS with Beasley, Nowak and Bocanegra. He is also, surprise, surprise, a Bruce Arena understudy. Now this makes absolutely zero sense to me. We fire Arena, the idiots at USSF can't agree with terms with Klinsmann and now we have Bradley, who's basically Arena, Jr.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/12/05/klinsmann.us/

[deviant]

its a gamble of ridiculous proportions but who knows it might work out.

[cartbran]

its a gamble of ridiculous proportions but who knows it might work out.
For who? I am guessing Honduras or Jamaica because they keep missing qualification.

[deviant]

For who? I am guessing Honduras or Jamaica because they keep missing qualification.
Well the Copa America is the first test so we'll see.

[cartbran]

Well the Copa America is the first test so we'll see.
Did USSF accept the invitation this time? I don't remember if they did, my inclination is that they didn't.

[sirmax858]

Did USSF accept the invitation this time? I don't remember if they did, my inclination is that they didn't.


they did...