Bradley is not very inspiring. Coaching players with that kind of salary is beyond his capabilities. Not a great choice.
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Bet Swansea flourishes -- this man makes the very most of talent, a steady coach and a great mind. Good hire.
After all the things I said about Bradley, I read this: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2016/10/04/sports/soccer/04reuters-soccer...
Bradley thinks his appointment will increase interest in soccer in the US? Get a grip, coach, and check the NBCSN ratings...then work on improving your team's defense, and looking for a scorer to bring in come January.
Rear guard actions against the likes of Liverpool in home matches is not the way to do it, but the bottom line is going to be the record against Stoke, Sunderland, West Ham, Burnley, Bournemouth, West Brom and Watford. That will determine safety, or not. Any points against top teams would be gravy.
Bradley thinks his appointment will increase interest in soccer in the US? Get a grip, coach, and check the NBCSN ratings...then work on improving your team's defense, and looking for a scorer to bring in come January.
Rear guard actions against the likes of Liverpool in home matches is not the way to do it, but the bottom line is going to be the record against Stoke, Sunderland, West Ham, Burnley, Bournemouth, West Brom and Watford. That will determine safety, or not. Any points against top teams would be gravy.
1
It's quite funny to be lectured by a few snobby English posters who are skeptical of Americans.
Look at the Premier League, 4 English coaches are in the PL. Pardew ranked the highest with Palace in 8th presently. When will they get into a European competition?
When will they win the league?
For me the Premiership would be unwatchable if it wasn't for the influx of foreign footballers.
and coachers.
Again lovely to be lectured by an Englishman on football.
They don't realize that the sun set a long time ago on English football.
Hup Hup Iceland!
Look at the Premier League, 4 English coaches are in the PL. Pardew ranked the highest with Palace in 8th presently. When will they get into a European competition?
When will they win the league?
For me the Premiership would be unwatchable if it wasn't for the influx of foreign footballers.
and coachers.
Again lovely to be lectured by an Englishman on football.
They don't realize that the sun set a long time ago on English football.
Hup Hup Iceland!
5
Pardew has managed Palace to three wins in six matches. It took six months to account for Pardew's last three league wins. Last year, Pardew's Palace started strong before a woeful 2016 half of the season. You probably should count the two Welsh and one Scottish managing in the Prem, though.
I am sure that Bradley has what it takes to manage in the EPL - one of the toughest, if not the toughest, leagues in the world. Does he have what it takes to match wits with the likes of Wenger, Pep, and Jose? But he probably won't have to as he has to focus on "winnable" matches against the likes of Pardew and Pulis, where he may just prove to be an equal. In any event, his appointment serves to raise the profile of US soccer, which is a good thing.
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To answer your question: NO
Love him or hate him, Bradley's on the hot seat now. Cutting your teeth in the EPL vs Arsenal is a tough ask for any manager in Bob's position. He'll be fighting a battle on 3 fronts: earning the respect & trust of the squad, earning the respect & trust of the supporters, and maintaining the confidence of the owners. Gone are the days of "Bunker Bob" leading the charge of the USMNT. This is Bradley 2.0; we'll see if the new & improved version can cope in one of the most competitive leagues on the planet.
Bob Bradley has a very good resume and time will tell if he is able to coach at the level necessary to raise Swansea's competitiveness.
Good luck Bob. You might very well be opening the door for other qualified American coaches who have thus far been shut out for positions in the EPL.
Good luck Bob. You might very well be opening the door for other qualified American coaches who have thus far been shut out for positions in the EPL.
1
I was a critic of Bradley's tenure at the NT.
I soon ate my words when JK came around.
Since Bradley's departure form NT, he has gone on to create some success at foreign clubs, the Egypt NT and get more credibility.
This past June here in SF during Copa America, I saw him with his wife and daughter at my local bookstore. He was very approachable.
I spoke with him for awhile about his future, gently needling him that we needed him back at the NT. He was gracious, kind and seemed quite worldly mentioning that he still had a year left at Le Havre.
He is a class act and I hope he does well at Swansea.
I soon ate my words when JK came around.
Since Bradley's departure form NT, he has gone on to create some success at foreign clubs, the Egypt NT and get more credibility.
This past June here in SF during Copa America, I saw him with his wife and daughter at my local bookstore. He was very approachable.
I spoke with him for awhile about his future, gently needling him that we needed him back at the NT. He was gracious, kind and seemed quite worldly mentioning that he still had a year left at Le Havre.
He is a class act and I hope he does well at Swansea.
5
Not surprised that Bradley's appointment is greeted with skepticism from typically myopic English pundits and press but sad that some American voices still think an English accent qualifies you to coach more than the hard earned path of respect and success Bradley has forged throughout his career.
2
Massive jump for Bradley after his last two stops in Egypt and France lower tier. He clearly has the knowledge, but can he translate at this high of a level? Not sure.
Either way, great American Footballing family. Who says progress isn't coming?
Either way, great American Footballing family. Who says progress isn't coming?
1
Not the right man for the job was my initial reaction. But what's the job? If it's a European place, not happening. Top ten? Unlikely. Safety? If that's the job he will surely keep them up.
Swans have never been a big wealthy club, but they've quite frequently punched above their weight. Don't see that happening with Bradley, but I don't see them cratering either. So maybe he is the right man for the times. He'll need help from management though. Good luck to him.
Swans have never been a big wealthy club, but they've quite frequently punched above their weight. Don't see that happening with Bradley, but I don't see them cratering either. So maybe he is the right man for the times. He'll need help from management though. Good luck to him.
Hopefully the American owners of Swansea will do a better job than Randy Lerner did with Aston Villa (and the Cleveland Browns-ugh!).
I am sure that now Bob Bradley is probably in the middle of the pack among EPL
managers.
I was never particularly impressed with his tenure as head of the US National Team but that job seems to devour every coach who attempts it.
I am sure that now Bob Bradley is probably in the middle of the pack among EPL
managers.
I was never particularly impressed with his tenure as head of the US National Team but that job seems to devour every coach who attempts it.
Wow. I may not be a Swansea fan but I will certainly be watching their games differently now; and maybe even rutting for them a bit...as long as they aren't playing Chelsea. That draw was the beginning of the end of Chelsea's hopes to win the PL title in my opinion.
Well, good luck to Bradley, because he's going to need it. I've always liked Swansea, but they've had a serious talent exodus, and basd on the only time I've seen them thus far, last weekend, they don't have enough to steer clear of the relegation scrap. They haven't adequately replaced Ashley Williams, the rock and leader. And Andre Ayew was insufficient to replace Wilifried Bony, who was a lot less provider and finisher than Michu was. Whee are the goals going to come from? They've got a world class playmaker in Sigurdsson, but who is he getting the ball to? Leroy Fer?
The model for this is the way Tony Pulis has avoided relegation throughout his career, uncompromising defense and organization, and making set pieces count on offense. I'm not sure that plays to Bradley's strength.
The model for this is the way Tony Pulis has avoided relegation throughout his career, uncompromising defense and organization, and making set pieces count on offense. I'm not sure that plays to Bradley's strength.
1
As you said in your comment below, if Swansea can secure a good striker in January, they'll have a decent chance. Until then, the test will be whether Bradley can organize the team more effectively than Guidolin did (and I don't think he did such a bad job with the players he had).
Good for him as he's clearly qualified. I just hope that if he doesn't win the Barclay's that it doesn't hurt the chances of other American coaches in future years. In all seriousness to heck with winning the league, he's got his work cut out for him just to make sure the team isn't demoted.
3
Not qualified and neither is your comment. His team is in the 1st Division, not the EPL. Short stint for him.
Congratulations to Mr. Bradley - I wish him every success with Swansea. The haters are always going to hate.
4
Crazy. Swansea doomed to relegation. premier league is played at a pace and level of aggression unlike any other league. It's not a place to be learning. If Bradley wants to coach in England, he should of started in the next tier down, Championship, and leant the game English style.
Sorry Swans fans. Another example of know nothing owners buying into the PL, and making poor choices. See Aston Villa, Cardiff City etc etc etc
Sorry Swans fans. Another example of know nothing owners buying into the PL, and making poor choices. See Aston Villa, Cardiff City etc etc etc
"level of aggression" some times it resembles rugby more than football. But when it comes to actually playing football it's interesting how easily Spanish teams roll over EPL teams most of the time.
2
"His nationality still does not play in his favor ...there is a suspicion among supporters, many of whom hoped Guidolin would stay, that he has been given the job by virtue of being American. "
Swansea's new American owners took over in the summer and 74 days later they've plucked a fellow American out of the second tier league in France. Would a Frenchman with a comparable club record have been considered? Not a chance. Bradley's nationality played in his favor big time and skepticism of his credentials is warranted.
Swansea's new American owners took over in the summer and 74 days later they've plucked a fellow American out of the second tier league in France. Would a Frenchman with a comparable club record have been considered? Not a chance. Bradley's nationality played in his favor big time and skepticism of his credentials is warranted.
5
What most people fail to realize is being American has hurt his chances for a move to a big club rather than helped him. It's difficult for the English football establishment to admit that an American coach could possibly have anything worthwhile to offer the sport. But a close examination of his career shows he's more than qualified and definitely deserves a chance.
He's also an outstanding, humble individual on a personal level, and in my opinion, given the recent shenanigans several high-profile English managers have been wrapped up in, the Premier League could use more people like Bob Bradley.
He's also an outstanding, humble individual on a personal level, and in my opinion, given the recent shenanigans several high-profile English managers have been wrapped up in, the Premier League could use more people like Bob Bradley.
7
How has been american hurt his chances??
He has a mediocre CV relative to most experienced premier league managers. Premier league managers get there in one of 2 ways :
1) They are plucked from obscurity based on a playing career - thi is less and less the case aside from emergency situations- and is working out well even less frequently
2) They are appointed based on a track record domestically or abroad.
It could be argued Bradley fits under no. 2 but being a "par" manager of the US/ Egypt national team and coaching a second tier team in France is not a spectacular record.
If , for a example, a former manager of the czech and , I dont know, Alegrian national teams was working away in Ligue 2 or Serie B could he argue he had been "passed over by the premier league" ? I seriously do not think so.......
He has a mediocre CV relative to most experienced premier league managers. Premier league managers get there in one of 2 ways :
1) They are plucked from obscurity based on a playing career - thi is less and less the case aside from emergency situations- and is working out well even less frequently
2) They are appointed based on a track record domestically or abroad.
It could be argued Bradley fits under no. 2 but being a "par" manager of the US/ Egypt national team and coaching a second tier team in France is not a spectacular record.
If , for a example, a former manager of the czech and , I dont know, Alegrian national teams was working away in Ligue 2 or Serie B could he argue he had been "passed over by the premier league" ? I seriously do not think so.......
"It's difficult for the English football establishment to admit that an American coach could possibly have anything worthwhile to offer the sport"
Is there? And what do you base that on? Why would the 'English football establishment' (whoever they are) have an issue with an American head coach but not, say, a French one? I'm interested in your reasoning.
From someone who's grown up with English football, I can tell you that Bradley's nationality would be celebrated, not looked down upon, again proving the pull of the EPL.
Is there? And what do you base that on? Why would the 'English football establishment' (whoever they are) have an issue with an American head coach but not, say, a French one? I'm interested in your reasoning.
From someone who's grown up with English football, I can tell you that Bradley's nationality would be celebrated, not looked down upon, again proving the pull of the EPL.
Congratulations to Bob Bradley, he's always wanted a shot at the PL, and now he's gotten it. The EPL is a real Game of Thrones situation, but he seems to have successfully met most challenges set in front of him. So, welcome to the English Premier League, Mr Bradley. I wish you all the luck in the world (except when you play my team!)
4
A fantastic coach and a very decent human being. Good luck, Bob, you deserve it (and will need it, given Swansea's current roster and its competition). Your dedication, hard work, and expertise, however, are givens!
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