Bob Bradley would be disappointed if American managers get overlooked

28 December 2016 10:53

Bob Bradley fears his Swansea departure will damage the future prospects of Americans managing in the Premier League.

Bradley became the first American to manage in England's top flight when Swansea appointed him at the start of October.

But the former United States boss lasted only 85 days before he was sacked on Tuesday evening, with Swansea winning only two of his 11 games in charge and conceding 29 goals in the process.

Speaking to Press Association Sport before his dismissal, Bradley feared Premier League clubs would be dissuaded from appointing American managers in future were he to fail at Swansea.

"It's possible that will happen, and if that's the case that would be disappointing," Bradley said.

"But look at Gary Neville when he went to Valencia. I'm not the first one to go in to a tough situation.

"We (American managers) have to continue to show people that we are good.

"You can find British managers - who are good managers and have had success - but they came in to tough situations and, for whatever reason, just couldn't get the thing turned around."

Having succeeded Francesco Guidolin on October 3, it was ironic that Bradley should run into problems because of the way he spoke.

Guidolin spoke patchy English at best and his press conferences could be confusing at times.

Bradley liked to talk and was a good communicator, but the American's terminology was jumped on by some Swansea supporters frustrated by results.

When Bradley referred to a penalty kick as 'PK' and playing away as a 'road game' in the wake of a 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough, it was used as a stick by which to beat him with.

Being lampooned on Sky's Soccer AM - who poked fun by using Americanisms in 'Brad Bobley Soccer Camps' - also did him no favours.

Bradley was bemused by the way some treated him simply because he was an American, but he insisted he would not change for anyone.

"I could try to sound as if I came from the UK, but it would sound poorly and that's not who I am," Bradley said.

"Ninety-five per cent of my football vocabulary fits without a problem, but there are other terms in football that come from different places.

"The idea that (vocabulary) draws attention, I don't know what to say. It's part of the deal.

"I knew I would have to fight every day for respect, and I've got a lot more years left in me to continue to do that."

In the end, though, it was results and not the way he spoke that got Bradley the sack, and left Swansea seeking their fourth permanent manager in little more than a year.

Source: PA