Arena named MLS Coach of Year
Bench boss led Revs to first Supporters’ Shield
New England Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena has evolved as a club manager but his model for success has been consistent.
Arena was named the Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year on Monday, joining Steve Nicol (2002) as the second Revolution club manager to receive the award.
Arena got the news while preparing the Revolution (22-5-7) for tonight’s MLS Cup Eastern Conference semifinal match against New York City FC (1411-9) at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution captured the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record and were awarded a first-round bye in the playoffs.
“Am I different than I was in my early years, for sure no question about it,” said Arena. “We learn something every day in this profession and I think the game has changed and the atmosphere around teams has changed.
“There are a lot of issues inside and outside of teams which you have to appreciate in this day and age. Thirty years ago, I knew everything and today I realize I don’t so that is a big change for sure.
“But I have changed. I think I’m a little bit more patient than I was in the past and I have enjoyed coaching every bit of the way. It has been a great experience for me.”
Arena joins Bob Bradley as the second club manager to win the Coach of the Year Award with three different clubs. He captured it with D.C. United in 1997 and twice with the LA Galaxy, in 2009 and 2011. Arena and Schmid share the MLS record with 240 regular season wins but he is all alone with 275 combined regular and post season victories.
Arena is a five-time MLS champion with 35 playoff wins and is looking to secure the first MLS Cup title in Revolution history. Arena guided the Revolution to MLS single-season re