US coach Arena resigns after World Cup qualifying failure

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Just minutes after US coach Bruce Arena resigned in the wake of Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago, which saw the US fail to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1986, US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati took the blame for the humiliating failure.

"It's a shock to the system. We fully expected to qualify," he said. "It's a big disappointment... I certainly take responsibility for us not getting to Russia."

However, Sunil Gulati also said Friday he will not resign and might even seek re-election despite the Americans' failing to qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia.

Gulati, a 58-year-old India-born American, then outlined why he thinks he remains the correct person to guide the program back from the abyss, including the US role in a combined bid with Mexico and Canada for the 2026 World Cup.

Sunil Gulati, President of the United States Soccer Federation, attends a news conference in New York. /AP Photo

"I don't plan to resign," Gulati said. "We've got a lot of things on our agenda, including a World Cup bid that's due in March. "I don't plan to do that - because of everything, where the sport is now, the role I played in it and where it could go if I choose to run again."

Gulati became the US Soccer supremo on March 11, 2006, and finished a four-year term on the FIFA executive committee earlier this year. He has overseen a US growth in interest, but his watch also included this year's bitter flop and numerous calls for his quick resignation.

"I can understand the frustration, sure," Gulati said. "We'll do everything we can to get the team and the program back on track so we can be successful. We understand how much anger and hurt there is from Tuesday night."

Calls for Gulati to resign

New York Cosmos owner Rocco Commisso, part of a group suing the federation over anti-trust issues, renewed a call for Gulati to resign. "Sunil Gulati's role as a US Soccer power broker has outlasted three US Presidents," Commisso said.

The responsibility for the American men's failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and the last two Olympic Games must land at Mr. Gulati's feet.

US coach Bruce Arena stands on the sideline during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Trinidad and Tobago, in Couva, Trinidad. /AP Photo‍

"His public acknowledgement of shared responsibility for the national team's disastrous failure to qualify is meaningless unless there is a personal consequence to him reflective of the seriousness of the debacle he presided over."

A new election for US Soccer president is set for February with candidate nominations due in December, allowing time for background checks.

Gulati said he will decide "in the next few weeks" about whether or not to run again but noted, "I have reached out to people about endorsing me or nominating me in the last few weeks".

Gulati vowed a "deep dive" review of the entire program from player development and coaching to personnel. "We're going to look and see what needs to be slightly changed and what needs a complete overhaul," he said. "Not qualifying is not acceptable."

No excuses

File of US coach Bruce Arena. /AP Photo

Arena, 66, was called upon last November to replace Jurgen Klinsmann as US coach after two losses to begin qualifying. Arena, who guided the US team into the 2002 and 2006 World Cup quarter-finals , said missing the finals was a "major setback".

"Everyone involved in the program gave everything they had for the last 11 months and, in the end, we came up short," Arena said. "No excuses. We didn't get the job done and I accept responsibility."

"While this is a difficult time, I maintain a fierce belief that we are heading in the right direction." Gulati said the US team will select an interim coach to guide the squad in two European friendlies next month, a choice likely to come in the next 10 days.

The long-term search for a new manager through 2022 will take much longer and could involve candidates worldwide. One early name mentioned is Tab Ramos, a former US national team player and current US under-20 coach.

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Source(s): AFP