Former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has revealed that he agreed to take over from Bob Bradley as the USA national team coach before talks broke down over ‘control’ issues.
The 46-year-old told Sports Illustrated: “We couldn’t get the deal done because of a couple of issues and the main issue was that we couldn’t get it into a written format.
“Verbally it was done but then the paperwork started and we couldn’t get it done in the paperwork process.”
Bradley, who at one stage was the favourite to replace Martin O’Neill as Aston Villamanager, ended any speculation over his future by signing a new four-year deal with the USA in August.
But Klinsmann, who earlier this year said he was looking forward to getting back into coaching, said that he and US Soccer had even agreed on a salary.
“Yeah that was the first thing we got off the table,” said Klinsmann.
Klinsmann said talks broke down over the issue of how much power he would have.
“More and more coaches, if they have the position, try to be (general manager) and coach in one person. English coaches traditionally work that way,” he added.
