The US Soccer Federation has extended the contract of assistant coach Andreas Herzog until the 2018 World Cup in Russia, according to a report from Germany.
Herzog, an integral part to Jurgen Klinsmann’s team that oversaw the United States’ impressive performance in the 2014 World Cup, will not only be a part of the preparations and lead up to the World Cup, but also to the Gold Cup in 2015, Copa America 2016 and, if qualifying, the Confederations Cup of 2017.
Herzog said to ServusTV: “My contract will be extended for another four years. I am very proud of it [my work so far].”
The US will be looking to build on the foundations of 2014, not just on the pitch but also commercially. The 45-year old recognized the support for the US National Team, saying: “The football in the United States has never had this recognition. This has changed for the World Cup.” He added that the development must spur onward, urging for “a competition like the Champions League in the U.S., so the U.S. teams will be stronger.”
It appears that he sees the US’ encouraging performance in Brazil, that won over many onlookers from within the country and abroad, not as a success in itself but as part of a longer ambition to strengthen the game within the country. These are encouraging signs for the United States, and being able to keep hold of the managerial talent at the top of the US game is a good step towards continuing the success.
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