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'My decision only'
U.S. coach Sampson said he quit on his own
Posted: Tuesday June 30, 1998 07:18 PM
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Sampson had indicated he had no intention of resigning (AP) |
PARIS (AP) -- Steve Sampson says it might be best for the United
States to have different coaches lead the team in World Cup qualifying
and the tournament.
Sampson, who quit Monday, said he wasn't pressured to leave by U.S. Soccer
Federation president Alan Rothenberg.
"This was my decision, my decision only," Sampson said Tuesday in Paris
before heading home to California. "My mind was made up when I met with
him. I felt it was best I reacquaint myself with my family and allow Alan
Rothenberg the freedom to select someone else that could give this national
team a fresh start."
On Friday, Sampson said he had no intention of resigning following the
Americans' 0-3 record and last-place finish at the World Cup. After talking
with his wife Sheri, he isn't sure what he wants to do next.
Rothenberg has hinted that Sampson could become head of Project 2010 --
the USSF's plan to win the World Cup within 12 years.
"We've made no commitments one way or another," Sampson said. "I'm
interested in hearing all offers. My biggest challenge is deciding for the
next three, four years whether I want to coach or take a more
administrative position."
Sampson had no regrets about taking along the veterans who sniped at him
over their lack of playing time instead of dropping them before the
tournament.
"If I had done that, there would not have been enough depth in the
squad," he said. "The roles were defined for them. It just becomes a matter
of accepting it."
He also wouldn't revise his tactics, including the controversial 3-6-1
formation that used three defenders, six midfielders and one forward.
"I'm not going to second-guess myself," he said. "I honestly believe we
wouldn't be having this discussion if we were more precise in front of the
goal, because we certainly created the opportunities, certainly in the last
two matches."
It appears that the top two candidates are the men who turned down the
job three years ago before it was given to Sampson: Carlos Alberto Parreira
of Brazil and
Carlos Queiroz of Portugal.
Parreira was fired after Saudi
Arabia's flop at the World Cup, and Queiroz, who has spent half a year
evaluating the USSF, is said to be interested even though he agreed to
become coach of the United Arab Emirates.
"I think there's two phases," Sampson said. "One is the preparation for
CONCACAF qualifying [soccer's North and Central American and Caribbean
region]. It's very important that someone have a very good understanding of
the CONCACAF teams because insomuch as people think this is a weak region,
it is very difficult to win away from home in CONCACAF.
"The second phase is someone that has more global understanding. It could
be a one in the same person or two individuals."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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