Recently fired as coach of the U.S. National team, Bruce Arena has accepted the poisoned chalice that is the New York Red Bulls coaching position.
Mired in last place of the MLS’ Eastern Conference with 17 points (3-6-8), Arena succeeds interim coach Richie Williams, who became caretaker when Mo Johnston was fired last June 27.
In addition to leading the U.S. side to a quarter-final loss against Germany at Japan/Korea 2002, Arena’s resume includes 5 NCAA titles at the University Of Virginia, and a pair of MLS championships at D.C. United.
Arena’s introductory press conference is taking place as of this writing at New York’s Stone Rose Bar. I can say with full confidence I’ve not been nearly as blown away by a coach’s dynamism, charisma and ease with the media since Eric Mangini was hired by the Jets.
Actually, I’m being sarcastic. The audio feed is so bad, I can’t figure out what’s going on. Kind of like listening to Marcelo Balboa describe a play with my eyes closed.