USMNT coaching candidates to replace Arena following World Cup elimination
There are a few early names to keep an eye on after the United States failed to qualify for the World Cup
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2 min read
Bruce Arena resigned on Friday after his team failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. There are so many questions as to what's next for the national team, and there could be some massive changes when it comes to the roster with veterans like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and so on possibly pushed out. But the focus now is finding the right guy to guide the U.S. moving forward. Here are some candidates to keep an eye on.
The favorite
Tab Ramos: The Uruguay-born midfielder is one of the best to ever put on a men's national team uniform. The 51-year-old is the coach of the U.S. U-20 national team and has done a fantastic job with that group, guiding the team to the 2017 U-20 World Cup semifinals. He's held in high regard by many in the federation, he is already part of the program and he understands the game as well as any coach that this team could realistically get. He's the clear favorite.
The MLS pick
Caleb Porter: Like Bruce Arena, Porter has had success on many levels. Now the coach of the Portland Timbers where he won an MLS Cup in 2015, he also won a national championship at Akron in 2010. He was the U.S. U-23 coach in 2011 while still coaching Akron but that stint didn't go well with the team missing out on qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in London. But he's a young, fiery coach who knows how to spot talent and could be a choice for the job, but maybe one that's more likely down the road.
The darkhorse
Tata Martino: The former Barcelona and Argentina national team manager who is currently coaching Atlanta United in MLS. He's done a great job in MLS and was once looked at as one of the brilliant minds in the game. He surprised many by coming to the United States to coach. Would it be that surprising if he decides to coach the national team? He's also been able to turn around a national team program -- guiding Paraguay to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2010. The logical choice if the U.S. wants to go the international route and hire a foreign coach again.
European target
Laurent Blanc: France Football threw the former France and PSG boss out there as someone who could be open to the job, but it is purely speculation at this point. He probably wouldn't be a good fit though despite his fantastic track record.
Sam Allardyce: "Big Sam" would be interested in the job, according to ESPNFC. The English manager is known for his ability to save teams from relegation, is familiar with the United States a bit after playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1983 and kind of has international experience but not really. He was named the manager of the England national team in July of last year after Euro 2016. He won his first game in charge, a World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, but that was his last game in charge. He left his role on September of last year after an undercover sting saw him produce some comments that led to allegations of bribery and corruption.
Update: Allardyce has joined Everton until June of 2019.
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