Soccer Capsules: Bradley aware of mixed record of repeat coaches
CHICAGO (AP) — Bob Bradley led the U.S. men to an upset of World Cup champion Spain, their first appearance in a final at a major FIFA tournament and the top spot in their group in South Africa.
Now he has to find a way to improve on that.
Bradley's success and experience convinced U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati that he already had the right coach, outweighing any concerns about the team going stale or taking a step backward in a second four-year cycle with the same manager.
"We're familiar with the statistics of first- and second-cycle coaches," Gulati said Tuesday, a day after Bradley agreed to an extension that runs through the end of 2014. "In the end, we came to the conclusion that his experience and record, his work over the last four years, overcame any issues.
"We think we put ourselves in the best possible position to continue the growth we've had by reappointing Bob."
Still, Bradley's extension came as something of a surprise. He has made no secret of his desire to coach overseas someday — he was linked to the openings at Fulham and Aston Villa in the English Premier League, though had no direct discussions with either team — and many thought U.S. Soccer might want a fresh start in the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup.
National team coaches tend to have short shelf lives — with good reason. West Germany coach Franz Beckenbauer may have followed a trip to the 1986 finals with the World Cup title four years later, but most struggle to replicate their initial success. Defending champion Italy and 2006 runner-up France were dismal in South Africa, despite having the same coaches as four years earlier.
Bradley's predecessor was Bruce Arena, who led the Americans on a surprising run to the quarterfinals in 2002 only to have them crash out in the first round four years later.
Gulati refused to say whether he had talked with any other candidates, including Juergen Klinsmann, who was offered the job four years ago.
"All the positives greatly outweigh the other concerns," Gulati said. "We think on balance we've made the best possible decision."
Unlike teams in Europe and Africa that already have begun playing qualifiers for their continental championships, the United States doesn't have significant games until next year's Gold Cup. The Americans do have exhibitions against Poland (Oct. 9) and Colombia (Oct. 12), however, and Bradley will use the games to begin looking at younger players who could help over the next four years.
"When you begin a cycle, you do an overall assessment. You take inventory of where you are as a team," Bradley said. "Most important is identifying players, beginning the process of bringing those players in. ... I really believe strongly that our staff did an excellent job of that in the last cycle. We will try to do a better job in this next cycle."
As for avoiding that second-cycle slump, Bradley said the key is to constantly be aware of the environment he's creating. Among his biggest strengths are his even-keel demeanor with players and willingness to be open-minded. He said Tuesday he has looked to longtime successful coaches like Manchester United's Alex Ferguson and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski for ways to maintain a connection with players.
Krzyzewski, who led a star-studded roster to the basketball gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, told Bradley he made sure to connect with three players every day.
"If you don't watch yourself, given your different responsibilities, you can so easily get out there and kind of be in your own little world. If you let that part get away from you, then your players see that quickly," Bradley said. "That is the challenge on the job. But that is the challenge whether you've been on the job four years or four days."
While Bradley said he is proud of the progress the Americans made in his first four years, he knows there is room for improvement. The Americans won their group in South Africa, finishing ahead of England, only to lose to Ghana in overtime in the second round. They've developed a troubling pattern of falling behind early, and they got no goals from their forwards at the World Cup. Their aging backline was also shaky, and will need to be rebuilt before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
And, despite that victory over Spain at the Confederations Cup last year, the U.S. still has a ways to go before it can be considered one of the world's best.
"I'm not easily satisfied," Bradley said. "We feel good about what we've accomplished the last four years, but that doesn't mean I think it's all perfect. That's what motivates us and our players, so we'll continue to work at it."
Wizards head coach accused of drunken driving
GARDNER, Kan. (AP) — The head coach of the Kansas City Wizards was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of drunken driving.
Police reports show 43-year-old Peter Vermes was pulled over shortly before midnight on Aug. 23 and arrested early Aug. 24 on suspicion of driving under the influence. The arrest happened in Gardner, about 30 miles southwest of Kansas City, Kan.
Police say Vermes posted $750 bond and was released after spending about six hours in jail. A phone message that The Associated Press left with a Wizards spokesman was not immediately returned Tuesday.
Vermes is a former Wizards player and was a member of the 1990 U.S. World Cup team. He faces a Nov. 9 court appearance.
Elsewhere
Robinho joins AC Milan on transfer deadline day
LONDON (AP) — Europe's top clubs mostly skipped the chance to make their final signings until 2011, but AC Milan was involved in Tuesday's biggest deals with Manchester City misfit Robinho added to a formidable forward line and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar sold to Schalke.
German club Schalke was one of the continent's busiest clubs with midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado and defender Nicolas Plestan also joining Huntelaar on deadline-day.
Several World Cup stars used their enhanced reputations to switch across the globe, with Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan leaving Rennes for Premier League side Sunderland, while Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was closing in on a late move to Tottenham from Real Madrid.
But Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all resisted the chance to make any late additions to their squads, reflecting the frugality that has hit the once-frenzied last day of summer trading.
In the Premier League alone, spending was down by 100 million pounds ($153 million) from 2009 summer window, although Manchester City's spree accounted for more than a third of the 350 million pounds splurged since the end of last season.
England captain Rio Ferdinand dubbed it the "recession window."
"Transfer deadline day was dead," the Manchester United defender posted on Twitter. "I was anticipating some crazy last day bonanza deals but got nothing of the sort!"
Two years ago, deadline-day was set alight by underachieving Manchester City being bought by a wealthy Abu Dhabi sheik, who immediately bankrolled the audacious signing of Robinho from Real Madrid.
The 32.5 million-pound British record capture provided the statement of intent required by Sheik Mansour, but he failed to adapt to life in England and went sent out on loan to Brazilian club Santos in January.
Milan reportedly paid €15 million to secure Robinho's services on a four-year deal. He will be competing for a starting spot alongside newly signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato as Milan looks to end Inter Milan's five-year reign as Serie A champions.
"Our goal has to be to win very important titles," Robinho said. "All the Brazilians on the team will give me a big hand inserting myself into the squad. I hope to create a lot of history for this club."
The 26-year-old Robinho's arrival enabled Huntelaar to move to Germany on a three-year contract.
Schalke manager Felix Magath, who is revamping the team by releasing costly veterans, on Tuesday captured Plestan from Lille on a three-year contract and midfielder Jurado from Atletico Madrid on a four-year deal.
A hat trick of signings were also made by Premier League club Birmingham, with midfielder Alexander Hleb picked up on a season-long loan from Barcelona, Chile midfielder Jean Beausejour joining on a three-year deal from Mexican side Club America and Spartak Moscow defender Martin Jiranek signing a a one-year contract.
Sunderland broke its transfer record to sign a new striker after Fraizer Campbell was sidelined for at least six months after rupturing knee ligaments.
American owner Ellis Short paid more than 13 million pounds for the 24-year-old Gyan, whose World Cup goals helped Ghana reach the quarterfinals for the first time.
Monaco forward Eidur Gudjohnsen is returning to the Premier League after spending part of last season at Tottenham, joining Stoke on a season-long loan. The central England club also secured former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant for six months from Real Zaragoza.
Liverpool was alone among England's traditional "Big Four" in spending on Tuesday, with defender Paul Konchesky joining from manager Roy Hodgson's former club Fulham on a four-year contract.
Konchesky's arrival was swiftly followed by 21-year-old Argentine left-back Emiliano Insua leaving Anfield for Galatasaray on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent.
Joseph Yobo is also moving to Turkey from Merseyside on a similarly structured deal, with Everton releasing the Nigeria captain to Fenerbahce.
Tottenham was hoping to pull off the late capture of Van der Vaart, with manager Harry Redknapp hoping the paperwork was lodged with the Premier League in time.
Redknapp claimed the 27-year-old Van der Vaart had been set to join Bayern Munich for 18 million pounds but the move broke down.
The most high-profile arrival in Spain was David Trezeguet's. The former France striker agreed a two-year deal with promoted Hercules in his first foray into La Liga after 10 seasons with Juventus.
Valencia brought Marius Stankevicius in on loan from Sampdoria to fill the void left by departed defenders Carlos Marchena and Alexis Ruano, which it sold to Sevilla last week.
In France, Lyon signed Senegal defender Pape Diakhate on a one-year loan contract.
Switzerland expects to face high-quality England
FREIENBACH, Switzerland (AP) — Despite England's World Cup flop and pressure mounting on coach Fabio Capello, Switzerland expects a high-class test when the teams meet in a European Championship qualifier next week.
The sides play in Basel next Tuesday, four days after Switzerland has a home friendly against Australia, and England starts its Euro 2012 program at home to Bulgaria.
"England is going to be back, I'm sure of it. Their quality is there," Swiss midfielder Gelson Fernandes told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
"(England) just need to start well and then they're going to do it," said Fernandes, who knows his likely opponents well from two seasons playing for Manchester City. "But it's tough because we're in the same group."
Swiss midfield linchpin Gokhan Inler said he had heard reports some fans and media in England are unhappy with Capello, and understood if people might think it is a good time to play them.
"That's true, but Capello is a good coach and they have good players. I know England is a tough team. They want to win against us," Inler said.
Reports in England suggest that, after poor form in South Africa led to a second-round exit at the World Cup, Capello's job could be at risk if the qualifying campaign begins badly. Group G also includes Wales and Montenegro, with only the winner assured of going to the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
The veteran Italian began his England tenure with a 2-1 victory over the Swiss in a February 2008 friendly at Wembley.
"We had a good game there, and now the result counts and we're happy to play against them," Inler said. "For us, it's important not to lose. We want to make it difficult for them."
The 26-year-old Inler declined comment about his rumored deadline-day transfer from Udinese, with the Italian club reportedly insisting on a €20 million ($25.4 million) fee. No deal was done before the trading window closed at 1700 GMT despite European champion Inter Milan, Liverpool and Wolfsburg all being linked with him.
Meanwhile, Fernandes completed his transfer to Italy on Monday, joining Chievo Verona on an initial one-year loan from French side St. Etienne.
"It's good for me. The Italian league is very tactical, very defensive and I think I can learn a lot there," he said.
Though better known for his defense, the 23-year-old Fernandes was the only Swiss player to score in South Africa. Ottmar Hitzfeld's side finished behind Spain and Chile in its group.
That goal in a shock 1-0 win over Spain is one of only four scored by Switzerland in its past nine games. Inler has two of them.
"I'm sure the goals will come. Don't put pressure on the players and things are going to be all right," Fernandes said. "When you don't concede a lot of goals, that means we're not bad."
Fernandes expects the Swiss, like England, to carry no World Cup baggage into qualifying.
"For us, it's a new start and we want to achieve something in this qualification," Fernandes said. "We've got a very good young team and that's our strength. We're excited."
-- Graham Dunbar
Blackburn suitor faces Bahrain business probe
MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — An Indian businessman in talks to purchase the English Premier League club Blackburn said Tuesday that he is cooperating with investigators in Bahrain after reports his company was shut down by fiscal regulators.
The probe could raise questions about whether Ahasan Ali Syed can move ahead with efforts to acquire the northwest England team, which granted him exclusive negotiating rights earlier this month.
But Julia Thiem, a spokeswoman for Ali Syed's investment firm Western Gulf Advisory, said it would not affect his bid for Rovers. She said the deal was being put together through Ali Syed's European holdings and not the Bahrain-based company.
"It has no influence on the takeover bid, no influence on negotiations as we are acquiring the club from our European entities and in the name of Mr. Ahsan Ali Syed," Thiem said. "We are still hopeful that we can approach the Premier League by the end of this week or the beginning of next week."
Thiem also denied reports that the Bahrain company's business was suspended, saying it was operating normally Tuesday.
But a Bahraini trade official, Hameed Yousif Rahma, was quoted by the Al Wasat newspaper earlier this week saying that regulators ordered its closure for not having the proper permits to operate in the country.
A statement by Ali Syed said he is "cooperating fully" with investigators.
"The Bahraini authorities have asked for clarification on WGA's investment activities," he said, suggesting that authorities are looking into the company's structure and records.
"There is no hidden investor or any outside wealth involved in any way in the investment activities of Western Gulf Advisory," he added.
Ali Syed, who says he is a longtime Blackburn fan, will reportedly pay off the club's 20 million pounds ($31.8 million; €24.2 million) of debt and invest 300 million pounds ($462.4; €363.2 million) into the club. He also has reportedly earmarked 80 million pounds ($123 million, €97 million) for new players.
A number of consortiums have contacted the Jack Walker Trustees over the last three years including one from ex-JJB Sports chief executive Chris Ronnie, and another based in Iceland. In June another Indian entrepreneur, Saurin Shah, was reportedly prepared to bid for the club but nothing came of it.
Ali Syed's bid marks the latest sign that Gulf businessmen are looking to invest in European soccer clubs.
Premier League rival Manchester City is owned by Sheik Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi while Qatari sheik Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani became the new owner of struggling Spanish league club Malaga in June.
Western Gulf has separate operations based in Switzerland and investments in other countries including Ireland and Australia.
Ramos: Spain should forget about World Cup win now
MADRID (AP) — Spain fullback Sergio Ramos has warned his World Cup teammates to forget about its South Africa success as it gets set to begin the defense of its European crown.
Spain plays Liechtenstein on Friday to open Euro 2012 qualifying and Ramos says the World Cup champions need "to start from zero."
The Real Madrid defender says "it would be an error to think everything will be easier" as the 21-player squad gathered in the Spanish capital to begin preparations. Ramos says Spain has to be "more focused than ever."
Spain is only the third nation after Germany and France to hold both the world and European titles together.
Spain will also play an international friendly in Argentina next week.
Injury woes for England ahead of Euro qualifiers
LONDON (AP) — England coach Fabio Capello is grappling with a growing injury list ahead of the start of qualifying for the 2012 European Championship.
Only one goalkeeper trained Tuesday morning, with Ben Foster missing with a knee problem and goalkeeper Scott Carson absent with a back complaint.
Joe Hart, who was already set to start Friday's match against Bulgaria in goal, is fit.
Phil Jagielka is in contention to take injured center back John Terry's starting place but missed the session with an ankle injury.
Striker Peter Crouch is struggling after injuring his back while playing for Tottenham on Saturday, when Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard was ruled out ahead of a hernia operation.
England also plays at Switzerland next Tuesday.
Puyol out of Spain's Euro qualifier with injury
MADRID (AP) — The Spanish football federation says Spain defender Carles Puyol will miss the World Cup champion's opening Euro 2012 qualifying match due to injury.
The Barcelona centerback will not feature in Friday's Group I match against Liechtenstein or a friendly against Argentina four days later due to the left leg injury.
Osasuna defender Ignacio Monreal replaces Puyol, who also missed Barcelona's league win over Racing Santander on Sunday to injury.
Puyol has made 90 appearances for Spain and helped it to the European championship two years ago.
Blatter asks Morales to resolve debt crisis
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — FIFA president Joseph Blatter is asking the government of Bolivia president Evo Morales to help resolve the debt crisis of the country's football federation.
In July, Bolivian tax authorities impounded assets of the country's football federation and froze its bank accounts, looking to recover a reported $3.4 million in unpaid taxes.
In a letter released Tuesday by the Bolivian Football Federation, Blatter asked Morales to arrange a meeting "as soon as possible" with top-ranking officials of FIFA and CONMEBOL, the Paraguay-based governing body for South American football.
FIFA could hit Bolivian clubs and the national team with sanctions if the debt issue is not resolved.
Messi backs Batista to replace Maradona
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lionel Messi is the latest Argentine player to support interim national team coach Sergio Batista, who seems likely to replace Diego Maradona.
Arriving in Buenos Aires for Argentina's match next week against Spain, Messi said he wants Batista to stay on in the job. The sentiment was echoed by Argentina's other top striker Carlos Tevez, who arrived in Buenos Aires a few hours earlier.
Tevez urged Argentine soccer officials to quickly name a permanent replacement for Maradona, who was dropped as the national team coach after Argentina's 4-0 loss to Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals. Batista was in charge in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Ireland on Aug. 11 and will be on the bench against Spain.
Serbian goalkeeper gets death threats
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — A former goalkeeper for Red Star Belgrade has been receiving death threats after signing with bitter rival Partizan.
Red Star fans have published an obituary on a sports forum website following Vladimir Stojkovic's move days ago from Sporting Lisbon.
Stojkovic said Tuesday he understands how Red Star fans feel, "but publishing my obituary is a bit too much." He says he will not hire bodyguards.
Stojkovic played for Wigan on loan from Sporting in the English Premier League last season. He played for Serbia at the World Cup, but has asked to be omitted from the national team until he is playing better.
