Patiently Waiting for The Bruce

[montgjules]

Thanks to prk's signature for the reminder/inspiration:

I don't personally have any negative feelings about Coach Ellinger per se. But as a big fan of The Bruce, I suggest we send the following letter to him with a couple hundred signatures below.

Dear Mr. Arena,

We, the fans of Real Salt Lake, cordially invite you to join us for the 2007 season as head coach of Real Salt Lake. You enjoyed our hospitality at the world cup qualifier last June and we would like to invite you to enjoy this hospitality year round! Although our feelings for Coach Ellinger are very strong, we are...

Sincerely

Patiently Waiting for The Bruce

[Burninator]

The Bruce is headed for Europe, especially if we do well in Germany. I don't think we could afford him anyway. :down: Maybe once he's made a ton of Euros, he'll come back...

⚽ Geoff
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REGULATORS! Mount up!

[huntingfool12]

Originally Posted by Burninator

The Bruce is headed for Europe, especially if we do well in Germany. I don't think we could afford him anyway. :down: Maybe once he's made a ton of Euros, he'll come back...

⚽ Geoff
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REGULATORS! Mount up!

Yes i agree... i dont think Bruce will be coaching in the MLS after the national team.

[montgjules]

I don't think he'd accept the job either. But hey, dream big...

[prk166]

I have a hard time picturing any Yank coaching in europe anytime soon. They've struggled to accept Americans playing the game. Accepting that they can coach is going to take even longer.

Montjules, you trouble maker! 🙂

[AreliusIII]

Originally Posted by prk166

I have a hard time picturing any Yank coaching in europe anytime soon. They've struggled to accept Americans playing the game. Accepting that they can coach is going to take even longer.

Montjules, you trouble maker! 🙂

I question that they have struggled to accept Americans. There are presently close to 100 Americans plying their trade abroad. I believe that Americans are gaining a positive reputation abroad. Just think of:

Brad Friedel
DaMarcus Beasley
Carlos Bocanegra
Conor Casey
Steve Cherundolo
Bobby Convey
Cory Gibbs
Tim Howard
Kasey Keller
Eddie Lewis
Brian McBride
John O'Brien
Oguchi Onyewu
Claudio Reyna

And the list goes on...

As far as The Bruce managing over seas, I don't see a problem. Its all about results, which The Bruce have proven he can produce:

295-58-32 over 18 years at UofA, including four NCAA titles. His winning percentage (.808) at UVa ranks among the best ever in collegiate sports, surpassing even legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (.804).

With MLS, The Bruce amassed a cumulative 87-37-1 (.700) record, including the following honors:
1996: MLS Cup Champs; US Open Champs
1997: league-best record; MLS Cup champs; CONCACAF Champions Cup final
1998: MLS Cup final; CONCACAF Champions Cup champs; Interamerican Cup champs

At the national team level, he is the most successful coach in United States history. He has amassed the most victories and the highest winning percentage (.641 as of 2004) of any U.S. coach. After the USA finished bottom of their group under Steve Sampson at France 98 it has enjoyed considerable success under The Bruce, including:
most international wins;
longest home shut-out;
best World Cup showing since 1930, reaching the quarterfinals at the World Cup and
all-time best international FIFA Ranking (6th place).

[prk166]

And where was that list of Yanks 5 years ago? 10 years ago?

Now ask youself, how many American coaches are in Europe right now? How many from Africa? South America?

It took quite awhile for American players to get accepted. God knows where someone like Tab Ramos could've ended up and how much more his game could've developed had the euro scouts been looking for talent in the USA 20 years ago. Yes, a lot has changed recently. But it's going to be that much harder for American coaches to catch on overseas. I wouldn't at all be suprised to see the USA put in a good showing at WC06 and Bruce in the end still not be able to find a club interested in him.

[AreliusIII]

Originally Posted by prk166

And where was that list of Yanks 5 years ago? 10 years ago?

Now ask youself, how many American coaches are in Europe right now? How many from Africa? South America?

It took quite awhile for American players to get accepted. God knows where someone like Tab Ramos could've ended up and how much more his game could've developed had the euro scouts been looking for talent in the USA 20 years ago. Yes, a lot has changed recently. But it's going to be that much harder for American coaches to catch on overseas. I wouldn't at all be suprised to see the USA put in a good showing at WC06 and Bruce in the end still not be able to find a club interested in him.

Hmmm. I guess I'm more optimistic. Besides, he doesn't need to launch into the Premier League, the Bundesliga, the Primera Liga or Serie A. There are all kinds of lower divisions with excellent football; i.e. the Coca-Cola Football League Championship.

Why talk about 5 or 10 years ago when we can talk about now?

Like I said, its all about results. Even The Bruce has admitted that it might take a bit to catch on to Continental football, but the fact remains that jumping the pond is the next step in his career.

http://www.leaguemanagers.com/news/news-5303.html

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Maybe we are patiently waiting for Robin Fraser? (That's what I heard on 700 AM today)

He's going to be the commentator for RSL broadcasts.

If Ray Hudson could leave the broadcast booth & turn the Fusion around; maybe Robin will replace Ellinger if things don't go better this year?

[Dadof3]

I'll miss Scholsey...

From one of the last games last year...

"Checketts won't stand for mediocrity...unfortunately this team isn't mediocre, they're bad!"