Swansea: From talking about watching Jack to a King, the documentary about Swansea’s City rise through the leagues, to recognising the need to earn the respect of the supporters, and expressing his determination to finally make his mark in the Premier League, Bob Bradley made all the right noises on the day he was officially unveiled as Francesco Guidolin’s successor.
A gregarious character, Bradley set the tone with his opening answer as he made it clear that the first American to manage in the Premier League is much more interested in reviving the fortunes of the Welsh club than blazing a trail for his fellow countrymen. “I’m honoured to be at Swansea City Football Club,” Bradley said.
“The American side I can cover in 30 seconds and then we can push that out the door.
“With football in the United States we’ve always understood that we have to earn respect. When I was with the national team, every time we got the chance to play in Europe, the players and I would understand it was one more day where we could show what the game was like in our country. So if in some way this helps, I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do.
“But this bit about pioneer and all the rest? I’m not an American manager, I’m a football manager. So now, when I come here, I realise there is not one person in Swansea who could care less what anybody in the United States thinks at the moment. They care about their football club. And I’m here to give everything I have for the fans and the club and I couldn’t be more excited about that chance.”
Aged 58, Bradley has a rich CV that includes managing at club level in his homeland, in Norway and in France. He also took charge of his country for five years and, in a role that could not have been more challenging, was appointed as the Egypt manager in the immediate aftermath of the Arab spring.
The way in which Bradley lost his job as the USA manager clearly still rankles. There was a long pause when it was put to Bradley that Jurgen Klinsmann, the man who replaced him in 2011, had been very complimentary in the wake of Swansea’s decision to turn to him. “From the day I got fired by the US I’ve not said one thing publicly. I don’t appreciate the way it was done,” Bradley said. “I’m glad that Jurgen said some nice things now; when he did commentary on the 2010 World Cup he was already jockeying for the job.
“So I’ve shut my mouth, continued to support the team because I, of course, want to see the team do well — Michael [Bradley’s son] is the captain. So if [Klinsmann] has said something in a nice way I appreciate it. And if at some point he chooses to try to work again outside the US, I wish him all the best.” The way in which Swansea handled Guidolin’s dismissal has upset some of the club’s supporters. Bradley made no attempt to disguise the fact that he spoke to Huw Jenkins, Swansea’s chairman, and Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien, the club’s American owners before last Saturday’s defeat against Liverpool, which proved to be the Italian’s last match in charge. “But at the end of both of those interviews I said — because I’ve been through this before — ‘Let’s be clear about one thing, I hope you win and I hope you keep winning.’” While Bradley said that he accepts some Swansea fans will be “angry” he promised to “do everything to earn their respect”. In fairness to Bradley, he came across as a man who has done his homework on the culture around the club, struggling at the wrong end of the table and who travel to Arsenal next Saturday, and not just the players he has inherited. “I know enough about Swansea City Football Club. I had seen Jack to a King before this week. Most of all what I know is that we have a club with a soul, a club that has real passion and real supporters. For me that’s special.” At the same time Bradley is no fool. He knows that he has to win people over and the only way he will do that is with victories. “When the talk is about proving yourself, yes, I understand that. There will be sceptics. But I don’t care. I love football and I believe in my ability. I am going to come here and every day step on the field with the same kind of energy and passion and commitment I had the rest of my career. Whatever happens, happens and after that, people can say or write whatever the flip they want.”
