Bruce Arena Considered Retirement after 2014 season
Bruce Arena just coached the Los Angeles Galaxy to their fifth MLS Cup at the end of the 2014 MLS season. According to mlssoccer.com, he pondered retirement at the end of the season. Arena has an overall career record of 242-128-80 (win-loss-tie) as a head coach. That includes MLS, MLS Playoffs, CONCACAF Champions League and United States National Team.
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Arena has been the coach of DC United, Columbus Crew, Los Angeles Galaxy and the USMNT. Arena was also the head coach of the University of Virginia program for eighteen years, during which he won five national championships, including 4 straight from 1991–94, and amassed a 295-58-32 record. Arena has won everywhere he has coached and if he was to leave the Galaxy, that would be a blow to the team and the league as he has the second most wins in MLS history.
He recently had knee surgery after the Galaxy won their record fifth MLS Cup and the thought of retiring entered his mind:
"“When I had the surgery, I thought about it a little bit. You always think about whether you have the energy to continue to do what you need to do. So once I come to the conclusion I can keep doing it, then I do it.”"
You may be wondering what brought him back to the sidelines:
"“Well, the fact that I’m planning on living a while longer, I need to have something to do, you know?” Arena said. “What do you suggest I do? It’s not going to continue for the rest of my life, that’s for sure, but in the short-term, this is what I do.” Dec 7, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena drinks out of a bottle of champagne at a press conference after the 2014 MLS Cup final against the New England Revolution at Stubhub Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports"
Arena recently was awarded the Werner Fricker Builder Award, which is the most prestigious honor given by U.S. Soccer. The award is bestowed on an individual who has worked tirelessly on furthering the interest of the sport of soccer without regard to personal recognition or advancement. The award honors those who have created or fostered programs that will outlast their own active involvement in the sport and who have established a lasting legacy in the history and structure of soccer in the United States
He had this to say after receiving the award:
"“The greatest honor I’ve ever received. To be recognized like that is very special, and I’ve just been fortunate I’ve been around a lot of good people for a lot of years that have allowed me to be successful. It’s a great honor.”"
He said in some years he enjoys being back on the sidelines. In other years not so much:
"“I’m in-between right now. We didn’t have much of a break this year, but it’s good. We’ve got a good group, good first day of training. … Every year everything changes, so it’s a different challenge every year. Different set of circumstances and variables you deal with, so, you know, it’s enough to keep you challenged, believe me.”"
As a Seattle Sounders fan, I would not be disappointed to see Arena leave the Galaxy and MLS. It might make it just that much easier for the Sounders to make it to an MLS Cup. Arena and his team always seem to be the roadblock that prevents the Sounders from reaching that goal.
As a fan of MLS and soccer in general, I am glad that Arena is coming back for another year. The City of Angels should be aware though that he may not be around much longer.
Next: Another New Kit for the Sounders?