When Bob Bradley took charge of the Egyptian national team in 2011, it raised a few eyebrows. But it was clear that it was an experience Bradley had been craving for years, and one he wanted to take to get to the next level.
While safety and security were reported as constant concerns throughout his two years in Egypt, the former U.S. head coach spoke very highly of his time there. He would be remembered as a hero if Egypt had managed to knock off Ghana in the final stage of African World Cup qualifying. But it just wasn’t meant to be.
And now Bradley begins the next chapter in his coaching career.
Soccer Central podcast: SPORTSNET.CA’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by John Molinaro and James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues. To listen and subscribe to the podcast, CLICK HERE.
The Vancouver Whitecaps wanted him, but the 55 year old is not ready to return to North America just yet. I understand that. But reading that Bradley is in advanced talks to become the next manager of Norwegian Tippeligaen side Stabaek. That I do not understand.
Am I naïve to think that Bradley is established enough to land a gig in a more respectable European league?
In the past when Bradley’s name was linked with jobs at Aston Villa and Fulham, I snickered. He wasn’t experienced enough. I still don’t think Bradley is ready for a Premier League job, but he added to his accomplishments while in charge of the Pharaohs, despite failing to book a place in Brazil.
Egypt won the African Cup of Nations three times in a row before Bradley arrived. But were Egyptian players being coveted by clubs across Europe? There was a time when Amr Zaki was. Ask Steve Bruce how well that worked out.
Under the American, Egypt’s best players got noticed in Europe. Mohamed Salah was a star in the Europa League last season and caught more than a few eyeballs this year in the Champions League. He will surely leave FC Basel in the near future. Hull City’s Ahmed Elmohamady can’t cross a ball to save his life, but he isn’t the worst Egyptian Brucie has managed—and no, that wasn’t a shot at Gedo. Plus there’s Ahmed Hegazy, better known as the ‘Nesta of the Pyramids,’ who earned a big move to Fiorentina last season and at 22 years old has plenty of potential.
Just like during his time with U.S. Soccer, Bradley saw his best players move on to a bigger stage. And not to say that a national team coach is the sole reason for an individual’s career progression, when it happens more than once in countries that couldn’t be more different, it’s a telling sign.
But maybe Bradley himself feels he’s not ready for a bigger platform just yet, that it’s best to get your foot in the club-football door and work your way up. From the outside though, one can’t help but wonder if Bradley is rushing into the wrong job.