With the World Cup just a few days away, soccer fever is at its peak. One of the hottest topics of discussion among fans of Team USA has been coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to leave Landon Donovan off of the American World Cup roster.
In an interview with the New York Times, Klinnsman explained that his decision to leave Donovan off of the roster was tied to his belief that coaches should not defer to the stars of their team. In fact Klinnsman believes teams should look to the future and forget the past.
“This always happens in America,” Klinsmann told me, waving his hands in the air. “Kobe Bryant, for example — why does he get a two-year contract extension for $50 million? Because of what he is going to do in the next two years for the Lakers? Of course not. Of course not. He gets it because of what he has done before. It makes no sense. Why do you pay for what has already happened?”
Yikes.
Klinsmann actually raises a very good point about Bryant and his massive extension. It’s just a bit surprising to see the Coach single out a player in another sport entirely.
Something tells me the Lakers probably won’t be inviting Klinsmann to sit courtside any time soon.