The shock exit without winning the Gold Cup has raised speculation about the future of manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
The former Germany national team boss has made some crucial changes to the style and the way the national team performed. He has been the head coach of the US national team over the last few years. During this period, the US have gone from being a potential underdog into a challenger. The team has achieved great results in the recent World Cup and in friendly matches against the likes of Germany. However, they were unable to build on this good form at the recent Gold Cup.
Klinsmann’s future has been under speculation ever since the team were knocked out of the Gold Cup much earlier than expected. The US were one of the favourites to win the title. The last time such an unfortunate event happened with the national team, U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati came out and criticism of then coach Bradley. Days later, Bradley was sacked for his performance was at this major tournament. A repeat of the same was feared in the case of Klinsmann, butGulati has come out in defence of the German manager and this is likely to see him continue his spell.
“No I don't think that's a reasonable assumption. I said it the last time: We don't make judgments based on one game. We don't go in and renew a contract because we beat Germany and Holland away from home and we won't make a change here. There's no parallels in all of this. “It's obviously a disappointment. I wouldn't call it a step back, but the team had been playing well in the Spring and coming into the tournament. The goal was obviously to win the Gold Cup and not have a playoff game,” said Gulati.