Bob Bradley sacked as US football manager

BOB Bradley was sacked as the coach of the American men's football team yesterday.

Bradley, 53, had been in the job for five years, but had been facing mounting pressure over his position after the team were regarded as having underperformed at last month's CONCACAF Gold Cup finals.

The criticism mounted even though they reached the final, which they lost to Mexico.

It was third time in succession that the two nations had contested the final.

Announcing the sacking yesterday, US Soccer president Sunil Gulati said in a statement: "We want to thank Bob Bradley for his service and dedication to US Soccer during the past five years.

"During his time as the head coach of our men's national team he led the team to a number of accomplishments, but we felt now was the right time for us to make a change."

Bradley, whose son Michael is one of the players in the national team, took over as American head coach in 2006 after the US performed disappointingly at the 2006 World Cup under Bruce Arena.

Bradley enjoyed instant success when he won the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

He then guided the team safely through the qualifying process for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but the US were eliminated at the second round stage, being knocked out by Ghana.

"It is always hard to make these decisions, especially when it involves someone we respect as much as Bob," Gulati added in the statement. "We wish him the best in his future endeavours."

There was no immediate announcement from US Soccer on who would replace Bradley.