Bruce Arena a candidate for D.C. United coaching vacancy: Sources

Former New England Revolution and USMNT coach Bruce Arena expresses interest in D.C. United coaching vacancy

According to sources familiar with the discussions, former New England Revolution and USMNT coach Bruce Arena has expressed his desire to be considered as a candidate for the coaching vacancy at D.C. United, as reported by The Athletic.

A source familiar with D.C. United’s plans confirmed that Arena is indeed a candidate for the coaching job. However, the club’s main focus is to hire a general manager first. Multiple sources within the team have informed The Athletic in the past month that the new GM will oversee the hiring process for the next coach.

In a recent report by The Athletic, it was stated that Columbus Crew assistant GM Issa Tall and Nashville SC assistant GM Ally Mackay are among the finalists for the GM position. Additionally, after initially being denied permission to interview, D.C. United was granted the opportunity to speak with Orlando’s technical director Ricardo Moreira about the GM opening. Moreira is also considered a finalist for the position. Although D.C. United showed interest in FC Cincinnati’s Kyle McCarthy, permission to interview him was rejected. A decision on the appointment is expected in the next few weeks.

Despite previously serving as the sporting director and coach of New England Revolution, sources familiar with the matter have indicated that Arena is not being considered for a similar dual role at D.C. United.

Arena, who holds the record for the most wins as a head coach in MLS history, resigned from his position with the Revolution in September following an MLS-commissioned investigation into alleged “inappropriate and insensitive remarks” he made on August 1. The investigation confirmed certain allegations, and MLS announced that Arena would need to submit a petition to the commissioner if he wished to pursue future employment within the league.

By reaching out to D.C. United, Arena, now 72 years old, demonstrates his desire to continue his illustrious coaching career in MLS. He holds several MLS records, including the most wins (250), the most MLS Cups (five), the most Coach of the Year awards (four), and the most Supporters’ Shields (four).

At the moment, D.C. United is without a general manager/sporting director and a head coach since former coach Wayne Rooney departed earlier this month, with the team narrowly missing out on the playoffs. The club has been without a GM since Lucy Rushton left after the 2022 season.

Currently, D.C. United’s roster features forward Christian Benteke and midfielder Mateusz Klich as its core. The club has an open designated player spot and several promising academy graduates in the first team, including Ted Ku-DiPietro, Matai Akinmboni, and Kristian Fletcher.

Arena has a history with D.C. United, having been the team’s first-ever coach in the inaugural MLS 1996 season. Prior to this, he achieved great success as the coach of the University of Virginia, winning five NCAA College Cups and six ACC championships. In addition to winning the first two MLS Cups, D.C. United also clinched the U.S. Open Cup in 1996.

Arena left D.C. United in 1998 to take the helm of the USMNT, which had just finished last at the World Cup in France. In 2002, he led the team to its best World Cup finish since 1930, reaching the quarterfinals of the tournament with impressive victories over Portugal and Mexico, narrowly missing an upset against eventual finalists Germany. Arena also coached the team during the 2006 cycle, where they had a disappointing performance. He guided the USMNT to three continental championships during his tenure as well.

In 2008, Arena joined the LA Galaxy, where he won three MLS Cups in a four-year span with a star-studded Galaxy squad featuring David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane.

Later, Arena returned to the U.S. men’s national team but was in charge during the infamous failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, considered as one of the program’s most significant setbacks. Afterward, he joined the New England Revolution, leading them to win the 2021 Supporters’ Shield and establishing the team as one of the top contenders in the league before his departure.

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