Jurgen Klinsmann: Why Former German Boss is the Man To Fix What Ails Team USA

When the United States Soccer Federation announced that men's manager Bob Bradley was being fired from his post in charge of the American national team on Thursday, according to an ESPN Soccernet report, many saw the move as a logical and necessary end to an era in U.S. soccer. 

Bradley's team's disappointing showing in the Gold Cup and in several friendlies in recent months showed just how far behind the rest of the world the American manager was tactically, as the squad was outplayed and downright flummoxed by the majority of formations and attacking styles used by opposing nations in recent months. 

But firing Bradley now prompts many questions about the future of the American national team, which has seemingly been on the verge of making the next step toward football relevancy for nearly a decade. Who is the right man to help usher in a new era with Team USA? Who can handle the unique challenges and rigors involved in managing the Americans?

The answer is one that even a source close to Team USA admitted "would not surprise many fans:" Jurgen Klinsmann.

That's right; the former German national team coach, and former Bayern Munich boss who turned down the Team USA job back in 2006 is just the man they need now. 

Team USA is in a transitional period, with an aging core of talent being phased out by a younger generation of stars. Unlike Bradley, whose ability to be objective was nullified by his insistence on starting his son in every single situation whether he was the best fit or not, Klinsmann has shown how objective he can be in picking a squad. In 2006, with the German national team, he helped usher in a new era of talent, phasing out beloved but aging stars and bringing in young players.

He's shown a willingness to make tough or unpopular decisions, something Team USA is really going to need in the coming years. 

On top of that, his managerial style is just what the Americans need. It's an aggressive, attacking style, but one that doesn't neglect defensive fortitude, either. Klinsmann has shown throughout his career a solid grasp of tactical information and strategy, and isn't afraid to try something crazy to find the right mix if need be. 

He also happens to be coming in with an in-depth understanding of the American soccer system. He's worked closely with MLS clubs and with Team USA in the past, and if anyone is going to know how to proceed from the Bradley Era, it's the German. 

Most importantly, we know that Klinsmann knows what works and what doesn't in the American system. He knows what changes need to be made, which players need to be phased out and what the team's strengths and weaknesses are. He's not afraid to make he changes necessary to ensure the squad improves and reaches its potential.

Klinsmann has the tactical know-how to make sure teams don't dominate the Americans in the midfield, as Mexico did in the Gold Cup. The kinds of meltdowns seen on occasion under Bradley aren't likely to happen under the German, as he makes sure everyone knows their role and can find success.

Sure, he's not perfect; he did turn down the job back in 2006 and in 2010 because he wanted full control of the club and its staff, and there are those who think his unorthodox style will ruffle feathers in the USSF much as it did when he was with Bayern. Some will clamber for Guus Hiddink, the Dutchman currently running the Turkish national team, and he'd be an excellent choice as well.

But no one can deny that when he's given control and a chance to do as he sees fit, Klinsmann wins games. He guided Germany to the World Cup semifinals in 2006 with his attacking style of play, and had Bayern Munich just three points out of first place when he was given the axe in 2008. 

In the end, it's clear that Team USA can't whiff on Klinsmann. He's got the tactical know-how to match up with any manager in the world, the ability to choose objectively when it comes time to pick his squad and the leadership to keep this team on point to bring Team USA into its next era. He's the right man for the job, and if USSF president Sunil Gulati is smart, he won't let the German get away this time.