A day that many U.S. soccer fans had long been hoping for, finally happened as embattled U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) manager and Technical Director, Jurgen Klinsmann was relieved of his duties Monday afternoon.
Following a string of humiliating losses to regional rival Mexico and Costa Rica in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, one could say that the writing was on the wall. But in getting outscored and outclassed 6-1 by El Tri and Los Ticos in their last two matches, all but sealed the deal.
To many USMNT fans, Klinsmann’s arrogance and stubbornness helped wear out his once much bally-hooed arrival in 2011. While he would lead USMNT to a 55-27-16 record, a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2013, the Round of 16 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the semifinals of 2016 Copa America Centenario, things just never seemed to proverbially click under him.
While the former 1990 World Cup champion from West Germany was hailed as the man to help take the United States to the next level of name and recognition on the international stage, Klinsmann did himself in thanks to a series of questionable moves, weird formations and head-scratching losses.
Whether it be losing to Ghana in the World Cup, leaving all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan off of the 2014 team, or losing to the likes of Jamaica, Guatemala, or getting outclassed by Mexico in the Gold Cup and utterly humiliated by Argentina in Houston during the fore-mentioned Copa America Centenario semifinals, it was clear that USMNT needed a new direction.
With reports emerging that one-time manager Bruce Arena will replace Klinsmann as soon as tomorrow, hopefully he can provide a breath of fresh air that Klinsmann has now made dull thanks to his lethargic and uninspired reign as manager.
Sadly, as much as Klinsmann was once highly touted when he was hired, now his unceremonious dismissal is seen by many as long overdue.