Landon Donovan spoke in an interview with Bleacher Report earlier today to discuss what he knows best--soccer in the United States--considering his widely-regarded status as the best American soccer player utlookf all time.
As usual, the topic of current manager Jurgen Klinsmann came up.
Donovan was controversially excluded from the 2014 World Cup roster following a four-month break from international play, and Klinsmann was the man who facilitated the stir before the 33-year-old announced his retirement from soccer.
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The former LA Galaxy star took an interesting perspective on the scenario.
This comment touches on the view of the under-scrutiny Klinsmann, as some have heaped importance on outcome of the 2015 Gold Cup in July while questioning the ex-VfB Stuttgart forward’s ability to lead the U.S.
Nonetheless, Donovan can remark and speculate all he wants, but if he ends up taking a coaching job with the U.S. national team ranks, could he actually outlast Klinsmann?
The recent retiree also contributed his belief of American soccer players’ youth development, saying that Major League Soccer provides more readily available chances to grow as a teenaged footballer.
Klinsmann formally disagreed with this outlook.
“For me it’s a case-by-case basis. So what’s right for one isn’t right for the other,” Donovan said.
“As a general statement I think it is better for kids growing up here to be involved in our system, in Major League Soccer. You’re going to have more of an opportunity.”