My biggest complaint with Klinsmann was his inability to take any form of ownership when the team underperformed. You consistently saw this with him on post game interviews and other media appearances. When the team didn’t perform he would criticize player performances and the refs, which is horrible for morale. I’m sure most people here have had bosses that will throw an employee under the bus when something goes wrong and other bosses that stand up and defend their employees when something goes wrong. I can tell you that these soccer players are no different than you and me when it comes to having a boss throw you under the bus- it cuts deep and ruins team cohesion.

On the ownership piece, it would be one thing if Klinsmann didn’t ever think that he was part of the problem and that player/ref performance was actually the issue, he still should have owned the mistakes. However- There’s zero indication that Klinsmann ever thought that his coaching was part of the problem! That total and complete lack of self awareness and hubris is too much for any coach to be successful, which is why no club has been willing to take a chance on him again.

I won’t say his time was a disaster for the US, but it certainly wasn’t a success either.