 Arena is leaving his job with the USA |
Bruce Arena's contract as coach of the USA national team will not be renewed, it was announced on Friday. Arena, who has been in charge for eight years, has been told he will not be kept on when his deal runs out at the end of 2006.
The USA failed to make it past the group stage at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
US Soccer President Sunil Gulati praised Arena but said they were looking for a fresh approach.
"Bruce Arena didn't become a bad coach in the games. It has much more to do with eight years and us looking for a fresh approach," he said.
"He has given us credibility worldwide. He certainly left the program a lot better than when he found it.
 | I am extremely optimistic about the future of the sport in our country |
"The difficult part is we have an extraordinary guy as our coach. We weighed that against the eight-year issue and decided we needed the newness. "Bruce Arena's success on the field for the United States is unprecedented.
"But it is more than just the results he has achieved on the field. Simply said, no one has done more to lift the stature and respect of our men's national team programs worldwide.
"We will start an immediate search for someone to guide the program going forward."
Jurgen Klinsmann, who has stepped down from his role as coach of Germany and lives in California, has been mentioned as a possible successor to Arena.
Arena, who has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls, said: "I would like to thank the players, coaches and staff who have been with the program over the last eight years.
"I am extremely optimistic about the future of the sport in our country. As for me, I am planning to take some time off to weigh my future opportunities."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 