Former Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann is in informal talks with the US Soccer Federation that could lead to him taking over as coach of the US.
Klinsmann, who coached Germany to a surprising berth in the World Cup semi-finals this summer, said in a telephone interview on Thursday that he's been speaking with USSF president Sunil Gulati.
"We've had a couple of conversations. I'm evaluating everything that comes up," Klinsmann said. "I'll stay in touch with Sunil and see what it leads to. It's a very casual and relaxed kind of correspondence."
PHOTO: AP
Klinsmann resigned as Germany coach three days after the tournament, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. He lives in Los Angeles with his US-born wife and is regarded by many as the favorite to replace Bruce Arena, who was told by Gulati in mid-July that his contract would not be renewed.
"Sooner or later, I have to get back into coaching," Klinsmann said.
Gulati, who has refused to comment on his talks with any potential replacement, repeated on Thursday that he hopes to have a new coach in place by the end of the year.
Klinsmann is a close friend of Arena's and attended some US practices when the players worked out in California. He said there isn't any timetable on his talks with Gulati.
"Obviously, those are discussions that will continue, and we'll see where they lead," he said.
In announcing Arena's departure, Gulati said his successor should have "some knowledge of US soccer, experience, leadership, a track record of success."
"Does Juergen Klinsmann have those qualities? He probably does," Gulati said then. "He's had success with the German team; he has a much better handle on the US soccer scene than someone who hasn't spent time here; he's inquisitive. He's an intelligent guy, multilingual with a lot of very positive qualities."
The 42-year-old Klinsmann's stint in charge of Germany opened him up to considerable criticism for his decision to commute from California. But those complaints dissipated as the World Cup host advanced to the semi-finals before losing to Italy, the eventual champion.
"I've lived in this country for eight years now, so I've followed soccer development in the US," he said.
"It's definitely a very different situation in this country. Obviously, the approach here in the US would be a totally different one. The player-development aspect is a huge aspect," he said.
After advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002, its best showing since the initial tournament in 1930, the US was knocked out in the first round this year. The Americans lost to the Czech Republic 3-0, drew Italy 1-1 and lost to Ghana 2-1.
Klinsmann was a star forward for Germany, playing in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups and scoring 11 goals, tied for fifth in the history of the tournament. He was a member of Germany's victorious 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Championship teams, and he scored 47 goals in 108 internationals.
At the club level, he played for Stuttgarter Kickers, VfB Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Sampdoria, AS Monaco and Tottenham Hotspur.
Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said on Thursday that he was "almost sure" that David Beckham would be sticking with the Spanish side.
Calderon was speaking amid speculation that the 31-year-old midfielder is set to quit the Spanish capital with the former England captain linked with a move to the US.
"I think he will stay. I'm almost sure of it," Calderon said. "I think that David Beckham is happy at Real Madrid and Real Madrid are happy with David Beckham. It's only logical that we stick together. It's an harmonious marriage."
"What is happening is that I'm only one part of this possible agreement [over a new deal]," he added.
Beckham is under contract with Real until next year and has said several times that he may prolong that deal until 2009.
But his current status as a substitute has put a brake on negotiations over that contract extension.
Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw on Friday joined their Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in sticking their fists out to show off their glittering World Series rings at a ceremony. “There’s just a lot of excitement, probably more than I can ever recall with the Dodger fan base and our players,” manager Dave Roberts said before Los Angeles rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 in 10 innings. “What a way to cap off the first two days of celebrations,” Roberts said afterward. “By far the best opening week I’ve ever experienced. I just couldn’t have scripted it any better.” A choir in the
The famously raucous Hong Kong Sevens are to start today in a big test for a shiny new stadium at the heart of a major US$3.85 billion sports park in the territory. Officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the premier event in Hong Kong’s sporting and social calendar goes off without a hitch at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium. They hope to entice major European soccer teams to visit in the next few months, with reports in December last year saying that Liverpool were in talks about a pre-season tour. Coldplay are to perform there next month, all part of Hong Kong’s
Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman on Thursday smashed home runs to give the reigning World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 victory over Detroit on the MLB’s opening day in the US. The Dodgers, who won two season-opening games in Tokyo last week, raised their championship banner on a day when 28 clubs launched the season in the US. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shuffled his batting lineup with all four leadoff hitters finally healthy as Ohtani was followed by Mookie Betts, then Hernandez and Freddie Freeman in the cleanup spot, switching places with Hernandez. “There’s a Teoscar tax to
Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four. Villa are to face Crystal Palace — 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday — in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London. Revitalized since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that