Arsene Wenger says that the appointment of Bob Bradley as manager of Swansea will help to further the growth of Premier League football in the US.
The American takes charge of his first game when the Swans visit the Emirates on Saturday, and despite criticism from certain sections of the media, the Arsenal manager has backed the American’s qualifications for the job.
“Bob Bradley has a lot of experience,” he said. “He’s not a beginner, he has travelled a lot and has accumulated experience in the United States.
“He has been in Egypt, France recently and is now in England which is certainly a fantastic opportunity for him.”
With interest across the Atlantic in the Premier League growing at a rate of knots, Wenger believes Bradley’s presence – as former coach of the national side – will give it another push.
“It’s also good for the Premier League because the Premier League is taking off in the States,” he said.
“To have an American here will create even more interest for the Premier League in the United States. He is equipped to deal with what is asked of him.”
Hopefully when newcomers watch Arsenal dismantle Swansea tomorrow, it’ll create a new swathe of Arsenal fans. Given that it’s 2011 since the Gunners beat this weekend’s opponents at home though, it will require a big performance from Wenger’s team.
I was there last season, was a dire game. I hope they use that as motivation.
I’m happy that Bob got the Swansea job over that cunt Ryan Giggs, its really got my shit hard reading all of the articles written by butt hurt journos who have come out and said how ridiculous it is that he got the job over Giggs. Its fucking bananas they think that Giggs, a guy who has no actualy managerial experience, would be more qualified for a managerial position over a guy.. who has actually managed football teams all over the world and at international level. Swansea: ‘So Ryan, what actual managerial experience have you had?’ Giggs: ‘…Errrmmm, well this… Read more »
Now that is a creepy, unsettling picture.
I’m not an American, so maybe I don’t have the best perspective on it, but I personally tire of the “the game must grow in the United States” crap. Every time I’m there, football is all over the place. I have some Americans in my family who are obsessed with football and it seems they have plenty of friends who are as well. I believe every single Premier League game is broadcast live there? And they are regulars in the World Cup knockout rounds these days. Football has already taken off in the country, the patronising tone gets tiresome.
All the games are broadcasted, which is fantastic. I remember how over a decade ago there was one premium channel that would broadcast 1 or 2 games a week, and that if I was lucky I could catch the Arsenal at 4am.
Yeah… Fox Soccer was an abortion of a channel. I remember I almost cried when I heard the news that NBC was going to take on Premier League rights in 2013. Power of American greed, now you can’t avoid watching football in the major cities. At least on the coasts. I think the Midwest and South are less into it. There’s a fantastic Arsenal bar in Chicago though.
I don’t think the tone is intended to be patronising, it all being relative. Baseball, NFL and basketball are all more popular in the States, so the idea is to grew it’s interest to maybe become the number two favourite American sport.
I find that strange. My office has roughly 100 people and I’m the only one who follows “soccer” football avidly, and only one other person who knows what I’m talking about when I talk about it. It was really strange to hear ppl talk about the World Cup a couple years ago, especially when Suarez bit someone so ppl were trying to talk about that but didn’t really know who he was or his history of biting. After the World Cup they quickly forgot about it and went back to NFL football. Maybe it does better with younger folks who… Read more »
I live in London but was in NYC a few weeks ago, having lunch with my wife and the waiter comes over and says someone in the restaurant had seen my Arsenal cap and wanted to buy us both a drink! Thanks to that person if they’re reading this 🙂 So cool to feel part of a big global family 🙂
What are you on about? I live in the states and nobody knows a damn thing about the sport.. they look at me like I’m speaking a foreign language. It’s gotten better over the years but has a loooooong way to go to break into the top 4 watched sports.
Let’s hope Fab doesn’t play out of his skin against us again!
Bradley seems like a natural born leader. An Authoritative and Inspirational man whom players want to follow into battle. I Got to watch him closely when he managed Stabæk in Norwegian Tippeligaen and it was soon clear to everyone that he belonged on a much bigger stage. Im not a Stabæk supporter, Rosenborg is my hometown club (Champions) Yey 😉 , But this guy deserved his chance at a bigger club and i wish him well at Swansea, Only not tomorrow ofcourse.
Last season there wasn’t Iwobi and Mustafi in the team
Or Walcott 2.0
“Few thought Bradley had any chance to take the Swans to a Europa League place after his disastrous 0-6 debut at the Emirates. But after the Gunners swept aside both Manchester sides, Tottenham and PSG it didn’t look quite so bad…”
All due respect to Wenger, the game is big in the US and getting bigger – and Bradley won’t change that either way. What should be the focus is that he is a very good coach and will turn Swansea into a very tough team to beat. We’re fortunate to catch him early
I’m keen to see what Victor Meldrew can bring to the premier league.
Here is hoping we get a good win 2moro..Swansea at home has been utterly depressing the last few years
I remember Bradley coaching my beloved Chicago Fire team. He was good, very serious and did well with the team.
But to coach in the premier league? I have my doubts, but I wish him well.