default-cbs-image

Swansea City has hired former USMNT manager Bob Bradley as its coach, the club announced on Monday. The American manager, who joins from Le Havre in France's second division, becomes the first American Premier League coach and replaces Francesco Guidolin as boss of the Swans, who are based in Wales.

The 58-year-old New Jersey native coached the USMNT from 2006-2011. Before that he coached Chivas USA (now defunct), Chicago Fire and the New York/New Jersey Metrostars (now New York Red Bulls) of MLS. After coaching the U.S., Bradley managed the Egyptian national team, Stabaek and Le Havre, the latter which he nearly guided to promotion to France's top flight.

"He is highly regarded as a coach and has a wealth of experience on the international and domestic front," Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said. "He is well aware of the club's footballing philosophy and will provide us with strong leadership qualities and a renewed belief to compete at this level. "It is never easy changing managers, but we are looking at a long-term appointment and we are confident Bob can settle us down and stabilize matters on and off the pitch."

He takes over a Premier League club that currently sits in 17th place in this young season, having lost five of seven games, winning one and drawing one. The Swans entered the year as a candidate for relegation, and now Bradley is tasked with saving the team's Premier League lives with most of the season ahead. At his disposal are talented Spanish strikers Fernando Llorente and Borja Baston, physical Argentine defender Federico Fernandez and Iceland's Euro 2016 star Gylfi Sigurdsson.

One of Swansea's shareholders is former USMNT star Landon Donovan, who recently returned to playing after retiring a couple years ago to rejoin the Los Angeles Galaxy.

For news, stories, results and more, follow us:

- @CBSSportsSoccer - @RGonzalezCBS - Facebook