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U.S. Soccer announced today that it has parted ways with Jurgen Klinsmann.
U.S. Soccer has parted ways with #USMNT Head Coach and Technical Director Jurgen Klinsmann: https://t.co/iCc8DA5RGB
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) November 21, 2016
The German legend was hired in 2011 and led the USMNT to a Round of 16 appearance at the 2014 World Cup. He recently came under criticism for an 0-2 start to the fifth round of 2018 World Cup Qualifying, with losses to Mexico and Costa Rica. According to ESPN FC, U.S. Soccer has been looking at replacements for a year.
USSF President Sunil Gulati had this to say about the decision:
Today we made the difficult decision of parting ways with Jurgen Klinsmann, our head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team and Technical Director.
We want to thank Jurgen for his hard work and commitment during these last five years. He took pride in having the responsibility of steering the program, and there were considerable achievements along the way.
Klinsmann finishes his tenure with a 55-27-16 (W-L-T) record. His successes include winning the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup and reaching the semifinals of the 2016 Copa America Centenario, but many point to a disappointing fourth place finish at the 2015 Gold Cup as a turning point in his tenure.
According to Steven Goff of The Washington Post, current LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is likely to take over. He previously coached the national team in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup cycles.
The U.S. resumes World Cup Qualifying with matches against Honduras on March 24th and Panama on March 28th.