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FIFA.com caught up with Jurgen Klinsmann to discuss his first six months in charge of
USA. A legendary former player who dazzled for
Germany, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur, the 47-year-old spoke candidly about his hopes to transform American soccer from floor to ceiling.
Calling Southern California home for the past 13 years, the ex-
Germany coach talks affectionately of his “special relationship” with the
USA and his hopes to overhaul the country’s football. Tactics, individual responsibility, technique, nutrition, fitness, philosophy – it is all on the table for the energetic Klinsmann, who pulls no punches. “No spot is guaranteed” in his team, he warned in the first instalment of this exclusive two-part interview.
FIFA.com: Jurgen, can you describe your first six months in charge?Jurgen Klinsmann: This is a transition period. We are moving away from a reactive style of play to a proactive style. We want to play with the big teams; we want to take on the bigger nations and play like they play. This requires a different way of working from the top to the bottom. There is the physical side, the technical side, the fitness side, and the tactical side. We need to improve all areas of the game and this doesn’t happen overnight.
This seems a tough task. How are the players reacting to your new approach?I think they’re getting the message. They’re taking to the idea of training harder, doing double sessions. I ask a lot of them from a tactical perspective, but also things like nutrition and lifestyle. It’s important to show them that they need to go further all the time, that it is up to them to drive themselves forward.
Can you talk about your friendly results so far? Two wins, four losses, one draw and only five goals scored - this can't have been exactly what you were hoping for?The results have not all been great, but changes like the ones we’re talking about take time. Here and there we have been unlucky, but that’s OK. It’s part of the process, part of the transition. Also, I would say that we've put in some very good performances so far and are working toward something bigger.
You’ve taken over from Bob Bradley, who had his own approach. How do you make changes in a national team?The most important part is to work and train the way you want to play. It’s not done in words or on a blackboard, but out on the training pitch. You have to work on the fast transitions, getting back behind the ball when you lose it. [You have to] bang these impulses home so that they become second nature.
What is the philosophy behind the way you coach?