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<DIV class=pagetitle><H1>Pekerman an intriguing option</H1></DIV><DIV class=bylinebox style="MARGIN-TOP: 8px"><DIV class=bylinetext>Andrea Canales
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When U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati made the decision not to renew Bruce Arena's contract as national coach, he embarked on a quest to redefine American soccer.
Gulati likely is aware that his choice to succeed Arena will define his tenure, much as that of his successor, Bob Contiguglia, was defined by his somewhat unexpected appointment of Arena. <DIV class=phinline>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 205px"><DIV class=photocred2>Tony Quinn/WireImage</DIV><DIV class=photosubtext>Jose Pekerman has been widely credited for his phenomenal success with Argentina's youth teams.</DIV></DIV></DIV>
The default choice for Gulati seemed obvious during the World Cup. Juergen Klinsmann had his Germany team rolling, yet his years spent in the U.S. left him familiar with the quirks of the American system. His choice of an American training organization for his German players indicated openness to new techniques and an appreciation of what the U.S. can contribute to the game of soccer.
The rampant speculation was that the decision was entirely Klinsmann's to make. If he was willing to take the job, it was his.
Yet Gulati insisted the search for a new coach would be a thorough one.
Recent revelations indicate that Gulati has lined up solid competition for Klinsmann, who might no longer be the favorite for the position.
Instead, that label might have fallen to another World Cup coach. Sources revealed to ESPN.com that Gulati recently interviewed Argentina's Jose Pekerman for the job.
Pekerman's credentials are especially impressive in an area that is dear to Gulati's ambitions for the U.S. -- the improvement of teams, starting at the youngest generations. No coach has won more youth world championships than Pekerman, who has three. Pekerman's Argentine squads won the FIFA World Youth Championships in 1995, 1997 and 2001.
The players he mentored were not young prodigies who flamed out. Instead, many of the prospects he worked with on the senior and youth levels are considered part of the wave of Argentine talent that constitutes a renaissance of the country's soccer. The list is positively star-studded: Lionel Messi, Juan Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola.
As Pekerman's charges contributed more and more to the reputation of Argentine soccer, his own status increased. He was respected enough to be offered the chance to helm the senior "Albiceleste" team after Daniel Passarella resigned in 1998. Instead, Pekerman declined, reportedly recommending the coach (Marcelo Bielsa) eventually chosen.
He finally accepted the post in 2004, leading the team through qualifying.
At the World Cup, Argentina and archrival Brazil both went out at the quarterfinal phase, but Pekerman was not vilified by his country's fans the way Brazil's coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, was by his. (Incidentally, Parreira also was considered a leading candidate for the U.S. post -- thanks in part to his previous coaching experience in MLS -- before signing on with South Africa.)
That's partly because Brazil's form looked poor in the entire tournament. The stars never appeared comfortable, and they fai
Archive </DIV><DIV style="FLOAT: left"></DIV></DIV><BR clear=all><DIV class=text11 style="BACKGROUND: rgb(255,255,255) 0% 50%; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>
When U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati made the decision not to renew Bruce Arena's contract as national coach, he embarked on a quest to redefine American soccer.
Gulati likely is aware that his choice to succeed Arena will define his tenure, much as that of his successor, Bob Contiguglia, was defined by his somewhat unexpected appointment of Arena. <DIV class=phinline>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 205px"><DIV class=photocred2>Tony Quinn/WireImage</DIV><DIV class=photosubtext>Jose Pekerman has been widely credited for his phenomenal success with Argentina's youth teams.</DIV></DIV></DIV>
The default choice for Gulati seemed obvious during the World Cup. Juergen Klinsmann had his Germany team rolling, yet his years spent in the U.S. left him familiar with the quirks of the American system. His choice of an American training organization for his German players indicated openness to new techniques and an appreciation of what the U.S. can contribute to the game of soccer.
The rampant speculation was that the decision was entirely Klinsmann's to make. If he was willing to take the job, it was his.
Yet Gulati insisted the search for a new coach would be a thorough one.
Recent revelations indicate that Gulati has lined up solid competition for Klinsmann, who might no longer be the favorite for the position.
Instead, that label might have fallen to another World Cup coach. Sources revealed to ESPN.com that Gulati recently interviewed Argentina's Jose Pekerman for the job.
Pekerman's credentials are especially impressive in an area that is dear to Gulati's ambitions for the U.S. -- the improvement of teams, starting at the youngest generations. No coach has won more youth world championships than Pekerman, who has three. Pekerman's Argentine squads won the FIFA World Youth Championships in 1995, 1997 and 2001.
The players he mentored were not young prodigies who flamed out. Instead, many of the prospects he worked with on the senior and youth levels are considered part of the wave of Argentine talent that constitutes a renaissance of the country's soccer. The list is positively star-studded: Lionel Messi, Juan Riquelme, Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola.
As Pekerman's charges contributed more and more to the reputation of Argentine soccer, his own status increased. He was respected enough to be offered the chance to helm the senior "Albiceleste" team after Daniel Passarella resigned in 1998. Instead, Pekerman declined, reportedly recommending the coach (Marcelo Bielsa) eventually chosen.
He finally accepted the post in 2004, leading the team through qualifying.
At the World Cup, Argentina and archrival Brazil both went out at the quarterfinal phase, but Pekerman was not vilified by his country's fans the way Brazil's coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, was by his. (Incidentally, Parreira also was considered a leading candidate for the U.S. post -- thanks in part to his previous coaching experience in MLS -- before signing on with South Africa.)
That's partly because Brazil's form looked poor in the entire tournament. The stars never appeared comfortable, and they fai
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