Veteran American soccer coach Bruce Arena is trying to restart his career months after he was suspended by MLS for making “inappropriate and insensitive comments” while in charge of the New England Revolution.
Arena has not coached a game since last July, when the league suspended him over the comments and opened an investigation. He resigned in September, shortly before MLS issued a statement saying investigators “confirmed certain of these allegations.” The league also said Arena must “first petition the commissioner” if he chooses to seek employment in the league again.
The former U.S. men's national team coach said he was cleared by commissioner Don Garber in December, but claims MLS did not effectively communicate his status and so it appeared he would not be considered for a job until April.
“I've had conversations,” he said on the latest episode of Kickin' It, the CBS Sports Golazo Network interview show, airing Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET. “There was, I think, some miscommunication around the league about my status. I was cleared in December and no one knew that… I've talked to a few teams and I think some of the information wasn't communicated properly, but we've leave it at that.”
How to watch Kickin' It
Date: Tuesday June 4
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Current: Biggest+ And CBS Sports Golazo Network
Arena did not say which clubs he was in talks with or how far along those talks were, but teased that he may be interested in Europe.
“If I get the chance in Europe, I would consider going,” he said. “There is an opportunity that I have. I don't know if it will develop, but if you look back, I probably should have.”
The details surrounding Arena's suspension remain unclear, both in terms of official communications from MLS and the Revolution and reporting on the subject. Arena also said he could not provide more information for legal reasons.
“If there's a time when I can do that legally, I would do it,” he said of the details of his suspension. “I think the experience was painful.”
When asked if he took responsibility for what happened in connection with his suspension, Arena responded in the affirmative.
“Yes, you have to take responsibility for it, but I think I have to be cautious in what I say,” he said, “but I will just say yes to your question, but I can't go into details.”
It is still unclear what exactly Arena is taking responsibility for and whether he has taken corrective action for the inappropriate and insensitive comments he made. MLS has not yet officially commented on the reasoning behind Garber's decision to allow Arena to seek employment in the league.
