Testing his limits, Bradley found himself in impossible situation at Swansea
The man who best embodies Jurgen Klinsmann’s philosophy—more so than even the former U.S. national team coach himself—is the man Klinsmann replaced.
Bob Bradley has tested himself, broadened his horizons and blazed new trails in his relentless pursuit of self-improvement, bigger challenges and brighter lights. He chose Egypt over MLS, stuck it out through upheaval and tragedy and was one game from qualifying the Pharaohs to their first World Cup since 1990. Bradley moved on to a modest, promoted Norwegian club and set it on course for the Europa League and then brought Le Havre to within a goal of Ligue 1.
Through it all, he never apologized for, nor shied away from, his Americanness. Bradley made himself available to supporters and reporters at each stop, recognizing that his progress and persona would reflect on the U.S. and soccer’s progress there. Ambitious and humble, he hoped to manage at the sport’s highest level. But he knew no job was beneath him.
It’s probably the case that Bradley’s nationality was a strike against him in many places. It’s also probably the case that he wouldn’t have been hired by struggling Swansea City in early October if not for the Premier League club’s American owners, who offered Bradley the position he’d been chasing. It was a job, however, that might have been impossible. Bradley, 58, was fired Tuesday.
All eyes were on him. There were the skeptics in Britain who had every right to wonder whether Bradley could make the jump from France’s second tier to the most competitive league on the planet….
Comments