By now, you have heard Sasha Victorine’s interview of Jurgen Klinsmann or read Grant Wahl’s follow-up interview during which Klinsman discussed his talks with the U.S. Soccer Federation about becoming coach of the USMNT. The statements made by Klinsmann have opened old wounds for many USMNT fans who have in turn unleashed a torrent of vitriol directed at USSF President Sunil Gulati. After reading the angry comments posted all over the internet, I wondered whether Gulati actually deserved all of the hate he was getting. The conclusion I have come to is “no.”
I think it is best for me to start by disclosing my biases. I am just a USMNT fan. I do not know Sunil Gulati and I have no inside access to the USSF. I am not a rabid Bob Bradley hater. I have questioned Bob Bradley’s tactics and in-game personnel decisions, but also think he has done some very good things as USMNT coach. Also, I support bringing in a foreign coach as a short term strategy for the USMNT. With regard to Klinsmann in particular, I am not as convinced as some are. There seems to be just as much evidence to support the conclusion that he is a good coach as there is to support the position that he is not. To me, Klinsmann appears to be more of a big picture guy, rather than a sideline guy and he may be a better fit -- and could be the most benefit -- in a player development role, rather than, as the USMNT coach. So with my biases being disclosed, let’s take a look at some of the more popular criticisms leveled at Mr. Gulati in the aftermath of the Klinsmann interview.
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A lot of fans are blaming Gulati for failing to hire Klinsmann on two separate occasions, but, this may not be a fair criticism. From what I can tell, Gulati does not have the authority to hire Klinsmann (or any coach) all by himself. To translate the legal mumbo jumbo contained in Policy 411-1 of the USSF Policy Manual, the USSF Board of Directors has the power to approve a coach’s contract. Thus, if the Board of Directors wanted Klinsmann to be the coach, he would be the coach. If you want to blame someone for not hiring Klinsmann, I think the blame is more accurately laid at the feet of the Board of Directors.
Some fans are criticizing Gulati for the flaws in the player development system in the U.S. Admittedly, the system is not perfect. However, the USSF appears to me to be making an effort to address this situation under Gulati. The Player Development Task Force was created in 2006 to look for ways to improve player development. This led to the creation of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in 2007 and several Academy players have already signed with MLS teams. Additionally, Claudio Reyna was appointed the Youth Technical Director in February, which I take as a positive based on his playing experience. So, it seems to me, that some effort is being made to address player development issues.
Other fans criticize Gulati for failing to schedule tougher competition, including more away matches with CONCACAF opponents. While I think this was a legitimate criticism a few years ago, a review of the U.S. opponents since 2009 suggests this is no longer the case. I hope the trend continues. On a semi-related topic, Gulati is blamed for the competitive failures of the 2006 World Cup, the 2007 Copa America and the 2009 Gold Cup. As for the 2006 World Cup, I think it was unrealistic to expect the U.S. to advance out of that Group. On the 2007 Copa America and the 2009 Gold Cup, I think a reasonable argument can be made for why these two events should be considered blotches on Gulati’s record.
Gulati’s public relations skills are also under attack and I can see why. A “no comment” in the wake of the Klinsmann interviews is a mistake. It stirs up public speculation, it undermines Bob Bradley, and it makes the U.S. look bad in the international soccer community. Still, being terrible at public relations does not make Sunil Gulati the cause of everything bad in U.S. soccer.
Now, because Sunil Gulati’s critics are blaming him for everything that has been wrong with soccer in this country during his tenure, it is only fair for his critics to also give him credit for all the successes of U.S. soccer during this same period. Gulati has been involved in some capacity with the USSF since the 1980’s, including being involved in the 1994 World Cup, which was massive for soccer in this country. Gulati’s major influence, however, started when he became the Executive Vice President in 2000. Looking at the facts, it is without question that since 2000 the USMNT has had more success than any other time in its history. The USMNT is 104-48-31 since 2000 as compared to 75-74-49 in 1990-1999. The USMNT won the Gold Cup three times, reached a FIFA tournament championship game for the first time ever, qualified for three World Cups, advanced to the quarterfinals in 2002, won its Group in 2010 and is currently ranked #1 in CONCACAF by FIFA. By all accounts, the USSF has improved its financial position these days from where it was in the 1990’s. Major League Soccer is doing better since the 2001 contraction and is now even getting paid for the television rights to its games. The Women’s National Team continues to be one of the world powers and is currently ranked #1 in the world by FIFA. The U.S. has also put together a solid bid to host the World Cup in 2022. Oh, and, by the way, Gulati is not paid by the USSF. Does this sound like the resume of guy who deserves to be “impeached” or “fired?”
Maybe I am naïve. Maybe I am completely uniformed. Maybe I do not understand all of the cloak-and-dagger operations of the USSF. Maybe I am the perfect sheep that the USSF wants, blindly buying merchandise and tickets while ignoring the slimy underbelly of the USSF. Maybe I don’t see how Dan Flynn is just like Gollum protecting his Precious to the ruination of U.S. soccer. Perhaps, this is all true. Again, I am just a fan. I also remember where U.S. Soccer came from and know how good we have it right now comparatively speaking. I know there is room for improvement in U.S. soccer and that Sunil Gulati is not perfect, but some of the critics need to temper their criticism with a bit of reality. If they can do that, their legitimate concerns have a better chance of being heard.
