27 Apr 2016
Former United States star Landon Donovan says that the national team should consider sacking manager Jurgen Klinsmann if they do not qualify for the World Cup 2018. The USA suffered a shock 2-0 loss against Guatemala a few days ago.
This result coupled with Trinidad and Tobago getting a win from their match means that US are now second favourites to qualify from the group as winners. They have been pushed down to the second spot by Trinidad and Tobago. This position could only get worse if the national team fails to win the reverse game against Guatemala on March 30.
Donovan, who famously did not get along well with Klinsmann, has stepped into the frame and suggested that the national team should do away with the German manager if they fail to qualify for this crucial tournament. Ever since the 1990 World Cup, the US have qualified consistently for this major tournament and missing out on the 2018 edition will be a major embarrassment according to Donovan. Further, such a mishap would occur at a time when the MLS is just starting to establish itself as an important league across the world. Klinsmann will also cost hundreds of millions of dollars to the nation if the US fails to qualify according to Donovan.
"If you look at it from a business decision, you're losing out on tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars in all different ways so you'd have to say yes. If you look at it from a performance decision, if you can't beat Guatemala at home then you don't deserve to be at a World Cup and you say yes. There's your answer. If you can't beat Guatemala at home in a World Cup qualifier then you probably shouldn't be the coach. It's as simple as that," said Donovan.