By Angel Ayala
Staff Writer
After a 10-year break from international soccer, Los Angeles Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena is returning home as head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team.
On Nov. 22 Arena, 65, was officially announced as Jurgen Klinsmann’s replacement. Klinsmann was relieved of his duties as head coach and technical director.
In the USMNT official twitter account, Arena is quoted as saying, “I’m thrilled to be back with the National Team. I think it’s the greatest honor for a coach in our country.”
In Arena’s previous tenure, from 1998-2006 as head coach of the National Team, he became the all-time winningest coach in U.S. history, posting a 71-30-29 record.
Arena led the U.S. to their best finish at the World Cup, when he took the 2002 team to the quarterfinals.
“I never expected to be back in this role, the way it came about in the last 48 hours,” Arena said. “Any coach in our country would always be thrilled to have the opportunity to coach one of our national teams.”
Arena’s contract runs through the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
After being fired after the 2006 World Cup, Arena was hired on Aug. 18, 2008 by the Galaxy, which plays on the Cal State Dominguez Hills campus at StubHub Center, to serve as coach and general manager.
He led the Galaxy to three MLS Cups (2011, 2012, 2014). Arena held a 125-70-79 record during his time with the club. He also led it to two MLS Supporters’ Shields. He was selected MLS Coach of the Year with the Galaxy in 2009 and 2011.
“The Galaxy had a choice to make and felt that this decision was in the best interest of the club, for Bruce and also the best of soccer in the United States,” Galaxy president Chris Klein said. “We have been incredibly fortunate to have Bruce coach this team over the past eight years and will greatly miss him. He has meant so much to this organization and helped make the L.A. Galaxy into what it is today.”
