http://www.espnfc.com/united-states/story/3001177/jurgen-klinsmann-fired-as-manager-of-united-states-mens-national-team
Jurgen Klinsmann fired as manager of United States men's national team
Jurgen Klinsmann has been fired as the manager of the United States men's national team, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced on Monday.
Klinsmann took charge of the U.S. men's squad in 2011 and led them into the knockout stage at the 2014 World Cup.
But disappointing results since then put his job in jeopardy, with defeats to Mexico and Costa Rica in World Cup qualifiers this month proving to be the last straw.
U.S. Soccer did not immediately name a replacement in thanking Klinsmann for his efforts in a statement, but sources told ESPN FC that negotiations are ongoing with LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena to take over the job.
"Today we made the difficult decision of parting ways with Jurgen Klinsmann, our head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team and Technical Director," the statement said.
"We want to thank Jurgen for his hard work and commitment during these last five years. He took pride in having the responsibility of steering the program, and there were considerable achievements along the way.
"Many are aware of the historic victories, including leading us out of the Group of Death to the Round of 16 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but there were also lesser publicized efforts behind the scenes. He challenged everyone in the U.S. Soccer community to think about things in new ways, and thanks to his efforts we have grown as an organization and expect there will be benefits from his work for years to come."
Sources told ESPN FC last week that U.S. Soccer has been in contact with Arena and Sporting Kansas City coach Peter Vermes as possible successors to Klinsmann over the past 12 months.
Arena's contract with the Galaxy was set to expire next month, but the 65-year-old recently signed a two-year extension with the MLS club, multiple sources said. However, the new deal would allow Arena -- who coached the U.S. at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups -- to leave if he were offered the national team job.
Klinsmann had been under contract through the 2018 World Cup, but this month the U.S. lost 2-1 to chief rival Mexico in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 11, and then suffered a 4-0 defeat away to Costa Rica four days later.
"While we remain confident that we have quality players to help us advance to Russia 2018, the form and growth of the team up to this point left us convinced that we need to go in a different direction," the U.S. Soccer statement continued. "With the next qualifying match in late March, we have several months to refocus the group and determine the best way forward to ensure a successful journey to qualify for our eighth-consecutive World Cup.
"There has never been a greater time for soccer in this country, and with the support and efforts of the millions of fans, sponsors, media and friends, we look forward to continued progress in the game we all love."
ESPN FC's United States reporter Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report.
