Arena succeeds Klinsmann as United States boss

Bruce Arena has been appointed as head coach of United States for a second time, following the dismissal of Jurgen Klinsmann earlier this week.

Former Germany boss Klinsmann led the US to the last 16 of the World Cup in Brazil just over two years ago, but their place at the 2018 Finals in Russia could be tricky having lost their first two games of their qualifying group. Although it is still early days, they sit bottom of their six-team pool and behind nations including Honduras and Panama.

This alarming start was enough for the US Soccer Association to call an end to Klinsmann’s reign in charge, which lasted more than five years. As expected, they have turned to Arena as his replacement, and the 65-year-old has agreed to end his successful spell at LA Galaxy to return to a job he held for eight years before his departure in 2006.

“Any time you get the opportunity to coach the national team, it’s an honour,” Arena, who will begin his second term with a qualifier against Honduras on 1 December, said. “I’m confident that we’ll take the right steps forward to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.”

Arena boasts the best win rate of any US boss, having won 71 of his previous 130 matches. He led his country to the last eight of the 2002 World Cup Finals where they lost to eventual runners-up Germany. The Brooklyn-born coach also has an impressive record at club level, winning five MLS Cups with LA Galaxy and DC United.

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