Quakes hire former USMNT boss Bruce Arena as head coach

(KRON) -- The San Jose Earthquakes announced Thursday that former United States Men's National Team boss Bruce Arena had been hired as head coach. Arena is a five-time MLS Cup champion who led Quakes rivals LA Galaxy to three championships.

Prior to coaching in LA, Arena won two MLS Cup championships with D.C. United. As coach of the national team, he led the USMNT to two World Cups, including a 2002 run to the quarterfinals that was the team's most successful World Cup in modern history.

Arena also oversaw the USMNT's disappointing 2006 World Cup campaign when the team failed to advance out of the group stage. His contract was not renewed at the time.

However, he stepped in to lead the team as interim coach in 2016 after Jurgen Klinsmann was fired. Following an 0-2 start to qualifying under the German, Arena failed to turn the tide and the team missed out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

More recently, Arena enjoyed a successful spell with New England Revolution, steering the team to an Eastern Conference final in 2020. The following year, the Revs achieved the best regular season record in MLS history with 73 points.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to come to San Jose," said Arena in a statement. "I coached my first ever professional game at Spartan Stadium in 1996 -- the first game in MLS history -- and my first international game with the U.S. in 1998 was in San Jose as well."

In addition to his five MLS Cups, Arena has won four MLS Supporters' Shields, three Concacaf Gold Cups and is a member of the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.

Arena quit his most recent job with the Revs in September 2023, six weeks after being placed on administrative leave by MLS for what the league called "allegations that he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.