New England Revolution Usher In A New Era, New Sporting Director And Head Coach Bruce Arena Confident In Club’s Future
A dawn of a new era for the New England Revolution.
On Thursday at 10 am the Revs introduced their new Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena.
Arena who is the winningest coach in USMNT history and a five time MLS Cup winner comes into a New England club that sits in 12 place in the Eastern Conference at 3-8-2.
”I look forward to the challenge of moving the Revolution forward,” said Arena.
“It’s not going to happen in the next two weeks. But I am confident over the next few years to be competitive.”
Arena Cites Plenty Of Resources At His Disposal
With the Revolution there has always been questions regarding the resources available to the club from ownership. On Thursday both Arena and Revolution President Brian Bilello squashed that notion.
“We will have the resources to make the team better,” said Bruce Arena.
Arena cited that money isn’t always the determining factor in MLS success.
“I think it is difficult to peg a number,” said Arena on salary totals. “You can be successful without being the top spender.”
In addition to acquiring and building the roster to a competitive level Arena pointed towards the new practice facility and the potential for a new stadium as an added factor in future success. As for an update on the stadium Revs President Brian Bilello had this to say.
”Off the field that has been our number one priority,” said Bilello. “We remain focused on that.”
Arena who is 67-years-old is coming off a 2017 World Cup coaching stint with USMNT that saw him go 16-2 but failed to qualify. As to why he is back in coaching for him it is really simple.
“I love coaching, I love the sport, I love the challenge of building the sport in this country,” said Arena.
With the Revolution behind the pack in 2019 the goal for the remainder of the season is to “position the club to make a playoff spot,” said Arena. “We have some work to do.”
Arena is shooting for a sideline debut against the Galaxy and he isn’t sure on any roster moves yet as it is too early to say.
“You don’t know until you get inside the team,” said Arena. “We have until November to make decisions on player contracts. We are going to take our time.”
Timing Of The Whole Thing Clearer After Thursday, Everyone Aligned From The Start
The whole process of firing Friedel, removing Burns, and bringing in Arena was rather rapid and that is something Billelo acknowledged on Thursday. All the moves are steaming off “Holistically unacceptable performances on the field,” said Billelo.
“It’s not that hard of a decision to bring Bruce in,” said Billelo. “Bruce was the first person I called.”
While the timing was odd the fact that Arena could be a Coach/GM played a factor in the moves.
“Bruce was someone I wanted to come in and do more than just coach the team,” said Billelo.
The goals for the Revolution long-term are likely what many fans are wondering with the recent couple of seasons being well below expectations for the founding MLS franchise.
Arena and Billelo are both aligned on the long-term strategy coming in.
”Setting up a culture of winning,” said Billelo
