U.S. Seeking an International Soccer Coach to Succeed Gansler

The U.S. Soccer Federation said that Bob Gansler would be replaced as national team coach if an internationally experienced successor is found. Gansler, the team’s coach since January 1989, said he is aware of the search and said he will continue on until he is removed.

“If we could find an international, experienced coach, we would make a move,” USSF President Alan Rothenberg said. “If we could improve ourself by hiring a coach with international experience, we would make a move and Bob knows that. As far as any American-based coach, Bob is at the top of the list.”

Under Gansler, the team qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1950. But it went 0-3 at last June’s tournament in Italy and finished 23rd among 24 nations. The Americans were criticized as defensive and dull.

Gansler, 49, was hired by former USSF president Werner Fricker, who intended to keep him on as coach through the 1994 World Cup, the first to be played in the United States. But Fricker’s bid for re-election was defeated by Rothenberg last August.