The coach of the USMNT who had his contract expire was just rehired. There was a lot of controversy surrounding him and his last days under contract. He was not fired as many thought, not at all. Why it takes over half a year to go back to your past coach? There were many changes at the top of the Federation, it did make sense to wait until all the pieces were in place to then do their research. I had an off the record conversation with USSF CEO JT Batson, walking away impressed with his thoughts. I first met many decades ago a man who went to school with the new Sporting Director, Matt Crocker, he also had Matt working for him here in the states, he had nothing but glowing things to say of him upon his appointment. There was not pressure to hire, the WC is all but 3 years away, my preference would have been to sign whoever it is to 2 deals of 18 months each, with metrics identified to allow for the next one to come into effect. This would allow for a not so successful tenure by one chosen to be ended with less $ due and to get onto the next with ease. Motivation, as if more is needed for the appointed one would be in getting renewed, then head to the games! Do I feel they made the right choice NO!
It was leaked some 14 hours ahead of the Semi Final of the Nations League, distracting from the game for the public and players. This announcement, should they have won and win again Sunday, would best to have been held until Tue. if a loss, Mon., give the players their moment in the sun. Yes, once the cat was out of the bag, something had to be said, I am sure it would have been very uncomfortable to sit on that information longer, although it may have afforded the time to find the leak?
Berhalter did in my mind the minimum to stay on, getting out of the group. Yes there was an anemic at best offense on display over the 4 games in the desert, yet they did in fact advance. Going in it was no surprise as they were without a true striker, so a lot was weighing on the other aspects of the team. Qualifying did go down to the wire, but in is in for the spectacle that the World Cup is. Why do I feel he was not the best choice, let me count the ways:
1. Domestic Violence History: It has not come out as to whether or not he was ever asked about this in the interview process, the first go around. If so and lied, bye, if not, why, if so what became of any researching of it. As the USSF stated they investigated it following the revelations were made, I would then be lead to believe that it was not inquired of prior to, as I would have been done then, oh, yes wait, let me rephrase, should have been. However that did go down it is not a job well done by the federation at any level.
2. Letting a player know, a younger one at that, of his not getting much time in advance of the games? This is how you lose that player and any others that are tight with him. If there was to be a plague of injuries necessitating his playing, not so easy to get him back to the game mindset, at all levels. Yes, this may be way off, but just prior, that player’s father jettisoned the son of the coach from his team to another, sour grapes, perchance? I would like to think all involved are above that.
3. Now in a meeting where it was NOT off the record as widely held but no quotes were to be attributed, good luck with that in a large room full of people you may not know all of well enough. Yes, the Chatham House Rule was said to be in effect, the check is in the mail. That does not allow you to attribute quotes to or name others in the talk. Oops. So now the question remains, where were the PR people of the USSF as he began his trip down this path, to cut him off, turn off the mic etc?
4. Berhalter is said to have a what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room policy. So akin to the points above, why was he talking out of school so to speak, airing dirty laundry, alluding to a player, of an experience that was known to have happened with one in particular, further an issue that was put to bed, ok do not name him, did you need to?
5. As to his first appointment. With well under a .500 coaching record, how do you get the helm of the USMNT? This in the MLS where most of his games were, not really La Liga or EPL. A lot have put this on nepotism, Jay, his brother was the CCO of USSF. He should have recused himself of any input, as he may well have, he may not of had a role, after all why consult with your Chief Commercial Officer on a coaching hire. I saw nowhere that he had input or distanced himself from this.
6. Who was interviewed, no, not looking for the names, they should not be released. US based only, how experienced at the National Team level were considered. Last time it was thought that if one did not speak English, they would not be considered? How many interview levels existed, who was in them, was it a group effort or by committee even in the final decision, how many was it between. As to the criteria of the coach sought, was the coach’s system considered in comparison to the player pool.
7. Good ‘Ole Boy Network. Yes this has ben said by many to be a big issue, if only for optics, look outside of this, restore the faith in the USSF. True as it may be that no nation has won the WC with a foreign coach, I will gladly take a loss in the Final. Show that you are willing and able to make a splash, was Bora the last to really captivate us? The Blonde Bomber was not well received.
8. Domestic Violence. He is to be a leader of men, some very young men, with this in his past, distant as it may be he will not be viewed in the same way, do you want him in such a role? No, he did not start the altercation by accounts, he was struck first, he pushed the person away, to the floor, but then kicked her? He may have hit her at upwards of 60 mph. It would seem as they are still together they made it work and great for them, this has no bearing on heading a team. There was underage drinking involved to the point of intoxication, yes here, lead these young men, a number of whom are below 21? He stated he got help, worked with female prisoners, all great things to do, but such things do not undo this act of violence towards women. In light of the horror show with the NWSL, this should have closed the door on him as well.