Bob Bradley, who coached the Chicago Fire to the domestic double in the club’s inaugural 1998 campaign, blazed a new trail Monday (Oct. 3) when he was named manager of Swansea City FC, becoming the first American to manage a Premier League side.
Bradley compiled a record of 110-67-20 across all competitions in his five seasons (1998-2002) with Chicago, ultimately coaching three MLS clubs before taking the reins as coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2006. After leaving the USMNT post in 2011, Bradley also managed Egypt, Norwegian Tippeligaen side Stabaek and, most recently, Le Havre of the French second division.
In addition to claiming the 1998 MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup trophies, Bradley also helped the Fire capture a second Open Cup title in 2000. The New Jersey native was inducted into the Chicago Fire’s Ring of Fire on August 4, 2007.
Bradley, whose managerial appointment also is the first for an American in any of the current top-5 European leagues, is set to manage his first match for Swansea City on Saturday, Oct. 15 away to Arsenal following the upcoming international break.
Visit MLSsoccer.com for more reaction to Bradley’s foray into Premier League football.
