UNITED STATES SACK NATIONAL TEAM COACH

The United States of America have sacked their national team coach in a bid to revamp their bid for the 2018 World Cup set to hold in Russia.

Fifty two year old German Jurgen Klinsmann has been the coach since he took over in 2011. However, with the US lying bottom of a World Cup qualifying group of 6, the ex-Germany international was relieved of his duties.

The US Soccer president Sunil Gulati has said that he remains optimistic of their chances in making Russia 2018, despite placing below the likes of Honduras, Panama and others in their qualifying campaign.

“We remain confident we have quality players to help us advance to Russia 2018. But the form and growth of the team up to this point left us convinced that we need to go in a different direction,” Gulati said.

“With the next qualifying match in late march, we have several months to refocus. We need to determine the best way forward to ensure a successful journey to qualify for our eighth consecutive World Cup,” he added.

After Englishman Sam Allardyce was relieved of his appointment as the Three Lions boss, Klinsmann was one of the top persons speculated to take up the role. The former Spurs player achieved a decent record during his time as the US national team manager, until the recent poor run. The retired German football player won the World Cup himself in 1990. He was impressive for the German national team side in 2006, but he could not quite reach such levels in the United States.

Bruce Arena is the man touted to take over. Arena is a former US coach – from 1998 to 2006 – and has experience managing LA Galaxy – a top MLS side. Arena would have a tough job at ensuring the US play in Russia in 2018.