Brad’s a different kind of guy
New boss tackles ‘snobbery’ as pioneering US coach at Swansea
SWANSEA: Bob Bradley is a reluctant pioneer.
He is filled with pride at becoming the English Premier League’s first American manager but aware his nationality brings preconceptions and myths about his credentials for the Swansea job.
“The American stuff I can cover in 30 seconds,” the former United States national team coach said over-optimistically on Friday at his Swansea presentation. “Then I can push that out the door.”
As Bradley then gathered his thoughts, there was silence for several seconds in front of reporters in a modest hotel in the south Wales city.
The 58-year-old knows Americans are still viewed by close-minded fans as novices in international football.
“With football in the United States, we have always understood we have to earn respect,” Bradley said. “When I was with the national team, every time we got a chance to play in Europe, the players and I would understand, ‘today is one more day where we can show what the game is like in our country’.
“So in some ways this helps. I am proud what I have been able to do.
“This stuff about pioneer. I’m not an American manager. I’m a football manager.”
Football, rather than soccer. Bradley made a wise but unnecessary distinction in a country that lays claim to have invented the game but gets prickly about the term “soccer” – despite its origins.
“I’m pretty sure that the English came up with this thing ‘soccer’,” Bradley said, correcting a misconception to his English inquisitor.
“I like football much better ... American football should have a different name, but I don’t think that will happen.”
The erudite Bradley sensed what his audience wanted to hear.
“I may slip up occasionally and call the pitch, the field – sorry,” he said. “But I’m not going to say soccer, don’t worry.”
He’s certainly nothing like Ted Lasso, the flamboyant parody of a clueless American football coach created by NBC to promote its Premier League broadcasts, deploying US sporting terminology alien to football.
“That’s what we lived with on the US team,” Bradley said.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily my job to take away your snobbery,” Bradley added, engaging with reporters and expressing no sign of irritation.
Bradley left the French second-club Le Havre on Monday to take the Swansea job. Lifting Swansea away from the relegation zone would help Bradley win over doubters who hoped former Wales and Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs would replace Francesco Guidolin.
Having won only one of their opening seven league games, the Swans require an experienced manager. Bradley coached the US from 2006-2011, including a trip to the 2010 World Cup. Giggs was manager for three games after being briefly elevated at Manchester United in 2014.
“I believe in my ability,” Bradley said. “People can write whatever they flippin’ want.”
Such as writing that Bradley only got the job because Steve Kaplan, a minority owner and executive vice-chairman of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, and Jason Levien, a part-owner of D.C. United, took control of Swansea in July.
“I don’t think they would have got where they are with making decisions with their heart,” Bradley said. — AP