image: sportal.it

With England looking all set to appoint Steve "I'm suspicious of that word, entertainment" McLaren as Sven Goran Eriksson's successor any day now, it's worth noting one name that was never even considered.

USA's Bruce Arena will be the longest serving manager at this years World Cup, having been appointed way back in 1998. He inherited a team that finished 32nd at France '98 and took them to the quarterfinals of World Cup 2002. He's proved many times that he can maximise a group of individuals talents through preparation, organisation, strategy and the man management midas touch.

Sven and Steve may get respect from their star players in public, but they've never used the word genius. Two of Arena's players, Landon Donovan and Eddie Pope have declared him a genius. Pope said:

"It takes talent to see a player, say he's going to fit this role on my team and help the team be successful. [Arena] makes you feel like you can't lose. If you combine all that, he's able to squeeze out the last two to three percent from a player that some coaches can't get, and that takes teams over the top. I think he's a genius at doing all those things."

Can you imagine these skills applied to an England team? If anyone could get Steven Gerrard performing consistently in a white shirt (and not just when Liverpool play away) it's Bruce Arena. Anyone can be popular with players, even Kevin Keegan, but Arena can also win trophies. Wherever he's gone he's won something for the trophy cabinet. At University of Virginia, at D.C. United, even with USA. (Gold Cup 2005 since you ask).

Just as importantly, Arena wouldn't crack under media pressure like just about every other England manager in recent memory (except for El Tel). While Scolari feared the journos that lurked outside his house, Arena would handle it no problem. He's spent 8 years facing the most soccer hostile media in the world. He's not only handled it, he's excelled, maintaining a sense of humour and playing a significant role in advancing the cause, growing the games reputation on seemingly unfertile ground.

There'd be no sex scandals a la Sven, no crazy new age talk a la Hoddle and no charisma vacuum a la McLaren. The only controversy Arena has been involved in was centered around the game, when he made some harsh comments about MLS and US Soccer officials in 2004. It's a measure of the esteem Arena is held in that he could insult his bosses for their shortcomings and not lose his job.

Unless Brian Barwick and David Dein happen to be avid Soccer-Weblog readers, then Arena won't be getting the job. But he has expressed an interest in coaching in the Premiership, and should the US have a successful World Cup then Arena could be making a transatlantic flight after all.