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As the obvious focal point of a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon, Bruce Arena couldn't avoid being Bruce Arena. With U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati also answering questions on the line, the most successful American soccer coach unleashed a typical quip.
"I hate to say this now, but, Sunil, I would've done this for free," said the 65-year-old Arena. "It didn't work out that way, but we did agree to a contract."
"This," of course, being head coach of the U.S. men's national team. "This" being Arena's return to the helm to help steer the USMNT back on course after its disastrous start to the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.
After a decade away from the job, Arena is back, having replaced Jurgen Klinsmann, who was fired Monday after five years as head coach and technical director. Gulati told reporters that U.S. Soccer officials also met with Arena on Monday. After a day of negotiations, the two sides came to an agreement Tuesday.
Arena's contract runs through the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Gulati confirmed, with "various contingencies, as all contracts have." Meaning should Arena right the ship over the remaining eight matches of the Hexagonal qualifying round and have a strong showing in Russia, he could remain in the position beyond 2018.
Gulati said he views the appointment as "Bruce 2.0," and Arena echoed the sentiment.
"Ten years later, I think I'm better prepared for this job than I was in 1998 and 2002 and ultimately 2006," Arena said.
In his last nine seasons as head coach of the L.A. Galaxy, Arena constructed the powerhouse of Major League Soccer. Under Arena, the Galaxy won three MLS Cup trophies and two MLS Supporters' Shields. Gulati said Arena's hiring unfolded over the course of the previous 48 hours, deflecting numerous reports that U.S. Soccer had been lining up replacements for Klinsmann for as far back as a year.
Ultimately, Klinsmann failed to deliver the revolution he promised when first hired in 2011, and beyond the 0-2 start to World Cup qualifying, the USMNT failed to qualify for the Confederations Cup in 2017 and again missed out on an Olympic Games, this time in Rio de Janeiro this summer in Brazil.
Arena doesn't have much time — if any at all — for the long view. The U.S had never lost the first two matches in the Hexagonal qualifying round until this month. The last time the U.S. lost consecutive qualifiers, ironically, was under Arena in 2001.
"I think [Arena] is a natural type of choice in that you're going to have someone come in that understands the process, understands the players, doesn't suffer fools, is very pragmatic and doesn't worry about aesthetics," said FOX Sports analyst and former national-team regular Alexi Lalas.
Arena has already started touching base with current national-team players domestically and worldwide. In his first 10 hours on the job, he was making calls. His priority is to get the entire team on the same page, which became more rare in recent months under Klinsmann.
Arena had his TV tuned into the 4-0 stomping at Costa Rica on Nov. 15, the worst World Cup qualifying loss since 1957. It proved to be Klinsmann's undoing. Now it will be viewed as a harsh lesson for Arena to remind his players they mustn't forget, as the march to Russia continues in 2017 with a familiar voice leading the way.
"The only thing I can tell you is we're going to make it better," Arena said.
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
The Bruce is back
U.S. men's national team hires Bruce Arena as head coach:
• Served as USMNT coach from 1998 to 2006, compiling record of 71-30-29
• Led the U.S. to best World Cup finish in modern era as 2002 quarterfinalists
• Remains the only U.S. coach to qualify for two World Cups (2002, 2006)
• Leaves the L.A. Galaxy after nine seasons that included three MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shield trophies
• Arena replaces Jurgen Klinsmann, who was fired Monday after five years at the helm