Bob Bradley

American soccer coach who managed the U.S. men's national team and became the first American to manage a Premier League club.

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Robert Frank Bradley (born March 3, 1958) is an American soccer coach, who most recently managed Norwegian football team Stabæk.

Quick Facts

Full name: Robert Frank Bradley
Born: 3 March 1958
Birthplace: Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.

Facts from the source article.

Background

Bradley was born and raised in New Jersey, playing soccer at West Essex High School and Princeton University. He coached in the American college game and Major League Soccer (MLS), managing the Chicago Fire, MetroStars, and Chivas USA over nine seasons. In 2006, he was appointed manager of the United States men's team, winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2007 and finishing runner-up in 2009 and 2011 as well as in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. His team also reached the last 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

He subsequently managed the Egyptian national football team for two years. He then became the first American to manage a team in a European first division with Stabæk of Norway in 2014. He moved on to French club Le Havre and Welsh side Swansea City, becoming the first American to manage a Premier League club, but was fired less than three months later. He returned to MLS, managing Los Angeles FC and Toronto FC.

Did You Know?

Bradley was the first American to manage a Premier League club, taking charge of Swansea City in October 2016.
He led the U.S. to a 2–0 semi-final victory over Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup, ending Spain's 35-game unbeaten streak.
Bradley was named MLS Coach of the Year in 1998 after leading the Chicago Fire to a double in their inaugural season.