Former Coach Arena Contends Pochettino Lacks Comprehension of Position Role

Poch, the fella who once coached Spurs, PSG, and Chelsea, nabbed the USA gig in September '24, replacing Yank Gregg Berhalter. Some folks reckon it's better to have domestic coaches for national teams, and Bruce Arena, a 73-year-old soccer lifer, is one of 'em.

He spilled the beans during a podcast with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard from Unfiltered Soccer. Arena claimed that coaches who don't know the Yank culture, environment, or players struggle. He said Pochettino might be a top-notch coach, but international football ain't the same as club football, it's a whole different ball game.

Arena led the USA to the '02 World Cup quarter-finals—their best modern era finish—but bombed in his second go-around in '17 when they didn’t make it to the following year's World Cup in Russia. This season, he's with the San Jose Earthquakes, following his exit from the New England Revolution in '23 after stepping back for "insensitive and inapproprite remarks" allegations.

Arena, who landed two national team gigs and critiqued Jurgen Klinsmann's reign, says he was stunned by recent losses to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League. "I'm blown away. I'm shocked we can't beat Panama and Canada! It was shocking," he said.

Next year, the World Cup comes to the USA, alongside Canada and Mexico. Arena believes the team's got a year left, and time's running out. "They gotta step it up; let's get moving!" he exclaimed.

Enrichment notes: Bruce Arena values domestic coaches due to their cultural understanding, arguing it aids in motivating, managing, and connecting with players invested in national representation. He believes their insight into unique cultural elements and local soccer environment is crucial in successfully leading the national team. This familiarity is particularly vital for the U.S. team, given the distinct nature of American soccer culture compared to other countries.

Bruce Arena, who led the USA to the '02 World Cup quarter-finals, believes that coaches unfamiliar with American culture, environment, or players may struggle in international football, as Pochettino might find out.
During a podcast, Arena criticized Jurgen Klinsmann's reign and emphasized the importance of domestic coaches for national teams, citing cultural understanding as a key factor in building connections, motivating, and managing players.
Despite Pochettino being a renowned coach, Arena acknowledges that international football is a different ball game compared to club football, requiring unique insights into the local environment and culture to succeed.
In the CONCACAF Nations League, the USA suffered losses to Panama and Canada, causing Arena to voice his disappointment and concern, stating, "I'm blown away. I'm shocked we can't beat Panama and Canada!"
As the World Cup comes to the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2024, Arena rushes to express the urgency for the U.S. team to improve, saying, "They gotta step it up; let's get moving!"
While American football and soccer may seem different, the cultural understanding gained through coaching domestically is beneficial in the world of sports, as Arena values this expertise, believing it to be vital for the success of the national team.