Wild Speculation: What if US Soccer Hired Dominic Kinnear?
by Zach Woosley on Jun 28, 2011 3:48 PM CDT
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Hold on to your valuables, it's time for a ride on the wild speculation roller coaster.
I was reading the latest post on the New York Times Goal Blog that discusses what the future looks like for US Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley. The most interesting part for me was the e-mail response Sunil Gulati gave to the authors when they asked him about Coach Sweatpants' future.
The question to Gulati on Tuesday was simple and straightforward: Will Bob Bradley remain coach of the U.S. national team?
His answer (in an email response) was as simple and straightforward: "We'll have something to say later this week."
You have to figure that either Gulati will give Bradley a full vote of confidence or announce they are parting ways.
Time for the speculation.
If Bradley was to leave, Dominic Kinnear has always been a name thrown out in connection with the US job. I'm curious how Dynamo fans would react to the idea of Kinnear moving up to the national team job. Personally, I don't want to see Kinnear leave but I certainly couldn't blame him for wanting a new challenge. It's entirely possibly that given the roster turnover and being in the midst of a second straight tough season that a change of scenery might seem like a good idea to Kinnear.
Of course, this is all speculation but it's certainly worth thinking and talking about from both the perspective of would you want Kinnear to stay and if he left, who would you like to see replace him...and how much do you wish, if the Dynamo face this problem, that John Spencer was still sitting on the Houston bench?
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Hey Ginge, you had me all the way, until you mentioned Spenny!
I think it would be great for Dom, and since he’s a former USMNT captain (against Scotland in a 1992 game), he’s never made any bones about how much he values that whole scene.
Personally, I think if he did get that job, then it would again be a case of how Dynamo have been reacting just too late for the last couple of years. When Holden and Clark left, THAT was the time to blow up the team and start again. 2010 should have been the rebuilding year. (Playtherapy said this at the time, while I was against it, I must add in all fairness. However, I’m not paid to make these decisions am I?) But we waited too long and now are faced with a significant rebuild a year later.
So if Kinnear leaves now instead of last year, we miss out on Spenny as head coach, a job he would have been favored to take over if Kinnear had left or, even better in my opinion, have taken over as the team’s technical director.
My one year too late theory is of course full of holes and what ifs in practical reality, but still, an interesting series of thoughts.
I wonder though, if Chris Canetti had been president at the end of the 2009 season in replacement of Oliver Luck (and this is NOT a criticism of Luck, who I greatly admire), and not in the middle of the 2010 campaign, then perhaps the whole rebuild might have gone a bit differently, and quicker. This is Canetti’s first full season in charge, and you can’t deny that the team is different under him.
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
And another thing...
Gulati is (insert many, many unprintable things here)!
“We’ll have something to say later this week.”?????
What kind of a(grumble-grumble)lery is that? Either back the guy or don’t. But now there’s all this speculation on what he will do and whether Bradley will be retained. And if there’s one thing I really hate doing, it’s thinking about Sunil Gulati and what he will do.
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
I’m still waiting for an important decision to be handled correctly by Gulati. At this point, he’s batting a big .000 far below the Mendoza line.
--
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
by Zach Woosley on Jun 28, 2011 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions
You know...
The US Soccer needs to get rid of Gulati, get rid of Bradley, and pick up Kinnear and whomever manages RSL, because by GOD those are some of the brightest minds available, and they’d have the US programs not just competing against the world powers, but proving they could hang time and again.
Kinnear knows how to grow players and RSL is nothing short of the perfect club right now, building not just from youth but also from outside with viable components that work as a freakin TEAM.
But yes, Gulati needs to eat shit and go elsewhere.
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
I like the idea of Dom taking over the Nats but, ...
…it means we’d loose Dom here in Houston. I’d cry like a baby, for at least a day. It wouldn’t be a happy day for me, which is sad because it’d be great day for Dom and the USA. I don’t see Gulati being smart enough to do this and Dom doesn’t seem to be on the current list of good ’ol boys.
Another angle on this is who replaces Dom in the Big Chair. Barrett? Ralston? Considering the lack of experience as a top level coach, not having Spencer available looks pretty big to me right now. Jason Kreis and Ben Olsen managed slightly more abrupt transitions in their trip to the top of their respective teams. It’s seems to be going okay for both.
Actually, I’d love to see Jason get the job. (This is who you mean Fuzion?) He may need a little more seasoning, but if he has more magic up his sleeve, it’s better to use it on the biggest stage possible. It could be EPIC.
Yeah, I meant Jason
I was working when I posted (still am), and we’re really busy so I didn’t have time to think. Lol.
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
Viva La Difference
Hiring Kinnear or Kreis might look sexy @ the moment, but I don’t think it would be good for the continued development of the National program. Our best players play across the pond. Mark Ziegler writes (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jun/28/six-ways-fix-american-soccer/) that just 15 percent of the U.S. minutes came from MLS players.
We finally have a few players competing @ top levels in one of the best leagues in the world. Ironically, for tactics and top level decision making, we keep looking to our domestic league, a league that our best either start in or retire to.
Arena continually hawks that a USMNT Manager MUST be an American, what seems like a picket line chant as the gap and learning curve between the MLS and international game is vast.
Which brings up an interesting question: how does a MLS coach make this type of transition? Trial and error? Tactics over players or players over tactics? How do we compete against more talented teams with managers who have been at this for a while? How do we compete against less talented teams whose entire strategies seem to be about focusing on our weaknesses?
Great teams have great resiliency and either are highly adaptive, meeting adversity head on or are so good at what they do, daring you to play head to head with them (Spain, Barcelona). FC Dallas is a fine example of a good team. Just how the hell are they winning without Ferreira?
Privately, Martek has spoken in length about the parallels between the USMNT struggles and those of the Orange Men (apologies to the Irish for that). The parallels are a bit uncanny. On this note, why replace one struggling coach with another having difficulties with similar obstacles?
BTW- I am very interested in Guus Hiddink’s contract with Turkey. To make the next evolutionary jump on the international scene, we need to quit messin’. It will cost a pretty penny but we need to make it attractive- just as we made the NASL move attractive to Pele (bring the game to the US!).
This would be bold and send a clear message to the US Soccer organization about intent and purpose. Pipe dreaming????
Why not
I think Hiddink would be an inspired choice, and since he’s not getting the Chelsea gig and his contract situation with Turkey went south due in part to that little saga I say damn the torpedoes and do it. I do think at some point we have to come out of our little bubble and allow more of an international influence in the coaching ranks, as they bring a variety of experience both tactically and technically.
But mind, Gulati would have to have a pair of Jacobs and some inspiration to pull that off, and I don’t think he has it. I could see him picking another fair, safe American if he does in fact let Bradley go (on that note, its just amazing how he’s hanging him out in the wind like that…if he’s fired, fire him and be done with it). It’s just sad because while the sport will continue to grow here, where taking the very long, conservative route which, while not inherently bad, could use some new ideas and I just don’t see that happening from within the ranks, sorry.
Hiddink would be an interesting choice
Proven track record but definitely a guy who would be around through the 2014WC and no farther, which isn’t a bad thing really.
--
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
by Zach Woosley on Jun 29, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Another addition
I definitely want to add Giovanni Trapattoni to the list. I don’t know what or who was blood sacrificed for the Irish to capture him or how we’d get him out of that contract. His wife reputedly didn’t want him to resign with the Bhoys in Green after WC 2010, dunno how they got him back.
Hiddink and Trap would be huge- though short term answers. Both can do much with little and are adept @ working across cultures or languages.
Then there’s the just the silly- Jose Mourhinho- can you imagine Gulati brinigng in the ultimate non-yes man?
(Sigh)
You complete me PT. If Mourinho ever signed on it would beg for one of those “Hard Knocks”-type shows…USMNT24, perhaps? Mourinho would have Gulati shell-shocked in the first week…don’t know if any of you have had the sick pleasure of watching “In The Loop” or “In the Thick Of It” but I think it would resemble it to a tee. A boy can dream
Oh yeah, and we’d eek out 1-0 or 2-1 wins all the time yet make it to the semis
Man luv is gooood
Ha ha!
Bet if there were a Mourhino-Gulati combo, it would be the basis of a reality show-Jose in the foreground on a bipolar high; Gulati watching (hiding) in the background with that I’ve been constipated for weeks look he always seems to have.
Can’t believe the names being generated as possibilities. Erikson? Why don’t we just take the Nats out, execution style instead. We’d probably get better results.
by playtherapy on Jun 30, 2011 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
And
As manager of both the Russian and Turkish federations, he drew upon talent from within the respective leagues that I feel are quite comparable to MLS so it wouldn’t be such a stretch to project how he might fare here.
This converation is interesting
I think that US Soccer i.e. Gulati is committed to having an American as a coach. I can see why one would think that is better. In the case of Bob Bradley coaching the national team is more than just a job. It’s about love and pride for one’s country, and he puts a lot of work into it. A mercenary coach may not.
That being said, a lot of our players play in Europe and have learned some European ideals. So this just might be the right time to get a European coach now that we have had enough players across the pond show that they are adaptable.
I’m torn on which way to go. I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision. Although if I had to choose right now I’d say we already gave Bob the job, let him finish trying to do what he’s trying to do. It takes time to implement a system and bring new players in (especially on the International level versus club where you get the players everyday). And then go with a new coach the next cycle.
If you want an MLS coach...
I think if you want an MLS coach to be in charge of the national team there are only two options: Frank Yallop or Jason Kreis. Kreis is the coach of the future and I think he still has lots to learn. RSL’s rollercoaster season in 2011 will be a good learning experience for him, and I expect to see him running the USMNT after 2014.
For now, though, I think Yallop is our best option. Even though he’s not American, he has national team experience as a player and a coach and has the credentials to be a national team coach.
Ideally US Soccer Needs a Technical Director and Coach
I’d like to see a TD in charge of organizing, streamlining and running the development and talent identification/evaluation process. Let the coach worry about on the field tactics and get input from the technical staff on team selection and roster building.
--
"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
I think there is no chance that Kinnear ends up being offered the USMNT job
I don’t think Gulati fires Bradley, but even if he did. Whoever the hot manager in MLS always gets mentioned as a possible national team coach. I think if they pull someone from the domestic ranks it would probably be Kreis.
I would like to see the USMNT bring in someone with experience internationally. I would like to see someone like Marcelo Bielsa who really impressed me with what he did with Chile in the last cycle. I honestly don’t know much about him, and I’m 90% sure that even if Bradley is fired he will be replaced with another American who will do things the way the federation wants them done.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
You go to the heart of the matter
Nice problem identification- which is why Hiddink or Bielsa- non yes men might change the dynamic. These guys have done a lot with mediocre teams.
BTW- hats off to Bradley for taking chances @ the Gold Cup. He took some pretty big risks that probably will end up getting him fired. He did the same with Finley- his wanna be preinjury Charlie Davies clone who ended up to be merely a very fast straight line sprinter, little else. Definitely not Charlie Davies, not even the post injury Davies.
Starting Ricardo Clarke in South Africa was much the same as the Bornsten fiasco. Take an out of form player who had been injured most of the year and when healthy, hardly getting any minutes, and start him @ the top level, highest pressure competition in the known galaxy.
Anybody else see anything wrong with this?
While Bornsten was not injured, he definitely has not been in form or getting many minutes. Therefore, he’s absolutely ripe for substitution in a vital cup championship final.
Win, and Bradley’s brilliant. I wouldn’t have gambled with Adu either, but we won that dice roll. I would have said the odds were stacked against us, but Freddy’s play proved me wrong. I screamed when Bornstein came on. Then screamed after the first goal.
The left side was an autobahn for Mexico.
Vroooom, vrooom.
BTW- I don’t want a foreigner because he’s foreign. I just want a manager who has the tactical nous to instill something new in the US soccer psyche- hustle and athleticism only seem to take us so far @ this stage. One or two players can only carry us so long.
Oh, does anyone else think Donovan looks depressed out there? How bad did the baby and his divorce affect him?
And there it is...
You touched on something that we all know but isn’t being mentioned, at least not in the US press: that its time that we start bringing in management with international experience, whether native or foreign. Enough of the USMNT pool has had enough club experience overseas that they now have a taste of how they COULD be playing, since they’ve had that exposure…and then they come back to that tactically conservative US team (whether that’s intentional or otherwise is another large argument*) and I’m sure sometimes they may feel a bit hamstrung. But I suppose that could be said for many national teams, the only difference being other national teams seemingly have less of an issue going outside the borders for that help. I know we’re still in the “grow the sport” mode, but we’re fast reaching that point where we need to come up with new ideas, tactically and technically. The talent is there: just simply with a nation of +300 million people, odds are we’re going to produce great athletes, and great athletes with talent. So now we need to start infusing that talent with proven technique and tactics (which comes from overseas), and for the most part we simply lack that.
To me it goes back to Gulati: he should’ve seen this coming with this generation of players cropping up (Donovon, Dempsey, et al) and I fear that if we don’t do something in the next couple of years we’ll have another generation of good-but-not-great players and we’ll be stuck in that rut for another generation.
*I’ll say fair play to Bradley: as you astutely pointed out, he at least gambled and even though it backfired he at least attempted. I think he’s done the best he can with what he had and under the circumstances, but I think we’ve seen the best of what he can do with the team. And yes, I put that in past tense because I do think he’s done
Good points
To piggy back on the bringing outside the box concepts, my hope is we would also encourage a foreigner to make sure part of his staff was American, to create a legacy of new ideas after he’s gone.
I don’t think Klinsmann has done enuff, hell- they wanted to can him prior to WC 2006 due to Germany’s poor showings in the build up friendlies. He was merely @ the helm as Germany did what Germany always does and little more.
Anybody know what Reyna has done to get the hispanic community more involved with the US Soccer system? The US’s international community is an unmined resource- hell they’ve got talent pools on those little known fields that would make the local YSO’s drool.
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