Klinsmann excited for US coaching debut

The United States are gearing up for their first match under new coach Juergen Klinsmann, and the German boss is keen to start his new role in style.

Klinsmann succeeded Bob Bradley after the American’s defeat to Mexico in the Gold Cup final in June, however his new side have been handed an almost immediate chance to reap revenge when they tackle the Mexicans in a friendly at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

“It’s especially exciting because you have an opponent that improved tremendously over the last couple of years, you know, they brought through a lot, a lot of highly talented young players through their ranks and now they belong to the top ten in the world,” Klinsmann said.

“So the US right now doesn’t belong in that region and we know that, so that’s a big goal, you know. We want to show them that, you know, we can compete with them.”

The 47-year-old Klinsmann has been on the coaching scene for five years, but his standing in the game has already seen him take on several high-profile appointments.

He led the German national team to a World Cup semi-final in 2006, before taking the helm at Bayern Munich, reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals three years later.

And his coaching methods already appear to be proving popular.

“Juergen has very positive energy and it’s infectious and I think the guys have already taken to that well,” US captain Landon Donovan said.

“As far as tactical things and a style and an approach to the way we play, that’s going to take a while.”

“That doesn’t happen overnight, especially in two or three training sessions, so it’s going to be a little different tomorrow the way the game is for us and the way the game looks and feels, but I think everyone’s really excited.”

“I think the energy is good in camp and I think we’re all really excited for what’s coming the next few years.”