Jurgen Klinsmann cannot make up his mind about what he wants from the American soccer culture.
Back in 2014, Klinsmann urged U.S. soccer fans to get on the level of European soccer powers that shame their players and coaches after poor performances.
He said via FTW’s Laken Litman:
“We’re not there yet. But in the big leagues in Europe and South America, if you miss a shot, you’re held accountable for it. Then you don’t miss it anymore. This is something that will grow over time. The more it grows, the more often fans see (players) in the street and tell them, ‘You were crap yesterday.’ And this is important.”
Klinsmann went into Tuesday’s must-win match against Guatemala with his job on the line. He was feeling the heat. He was feeling the criticism. There was the U.S. culture that he wanted two years ago.
Well, after the USMNT’s 4-0 win over Guatemala, he stepped back on those statements.
He’s OK with some of the criticism, but would like fans to be more respectful.
How is a fan telling a player, “You were crap yesterday” respectful? Because it isn’t. But that was what he wanted. Tuesday, there were planes flying banners pleading for Klinsmann to get fired.
Be careful what you ask for.
For now, Klinsmann survived a disaster scenario, but he still managed to show his lack of direction with U.S. soccer.
This time it had nothing to do with an inability to establish a youth system — he has lost touch with the very fundamental culture that he longed for ahead of the World Cup.
Which way is it? He needs to decide.
