Arena can pursue MLS jobs again
MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche and Arena’s agent, Richard Motzkin, confirmed Friday that Arena is again eligible for employment in the league.
“This has been a long ordeal, and I am appreciative of the reinstatement,” Arena said in a brief interview.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber approved Arena’s request after the latter completed about 15 restorative-practice sessions with a league-appointed psychiatrist. Restorative practices are an alternative way for organizations to address discipline, behavior and communication issues.
In the interview Friday, Arena said he was appreciative of the sessions and praised the doctor he worked with.
Since the investigation concluded, Garber and Arena met twice in New York and spoke on the phone at least once.
While he awaited MLS clearance this winter, Arena spoke informally with D.C. United about its coaching vacancy. Had talks accelerated, United would have had to gain league permission. It never reached that point, and United hired Troy Lesesne, the former New York Red Bulls interim coach.
“I am happy Bruce has been reinstated,” said Motzkin, his agent. “MLS is far better off with Bruce involved.”
There are no coaching vacancies at this early stage of the season, but several teams have started slowly and could look to make a change this summer. The MLS coaching ranks have undergone major turnover, with 10 hirings since the fall.
Arena, 72, was placed on administrative leave by the Revolution in August while MLS investigated the matter. About six weeks later, after MLS said it had confirmed some allegations, Arena admitted he “made some mistakes” and subsequently stepped down as both coach and sporting director.
The league has not released details from the investigation. On Friday, both parties declined to specify what precipitated it.
Arena is the most successful men’s coach in U.S. soccer history, having won five NCAA titles at Virginia and five MLS Cups (two with D.C. United and three with the Los Angeles Galaxy). He has won a record four MLS coach of the year awards, and his 262 regular season victories and 35 playoff wins are the most in the league.
In 2021, Arena’s third year with New England, the Revolution set an MLS record for points in a season (73) but lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Arena is also the career leader in U.S. men’s national team victories (81). He guided the 2002 squad to the World Cup quarterfinals - the program’s best performance in 72 years - and led the 2006 team in group play. His second U.S. stint - he replaced Jurgen Klinsmann during the faltering 2018 qualifying campaign - ended without a World Cup berth.
He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010.