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Jurgen Klinsmann: USMNT manager interested in fleeing to England

By Alex Butler
United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann stands on the sidelines during the first half of a 2016 Copa America Centenario Group A match against Costa Rica at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 7, 2016. The United States defeated Costa Rica 4-0. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
1 of 3 | United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann stands on the sidelines during the first half of a 2016 Copa America Centenario Group A match against Costa Rica at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 7, 2016. The United States defeated Costa Rica 4-0. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

CHICAGO, June 29 (UPI) -- Could Jurgen Klinsmann leave the United States for a land with higher expectations on the soccer pitch?

A source recently told Sky Sports that Klinsmann is "intrigued by the possibility of managing England."

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England coach Roy Hodgson stepped down following its Euro 2016 loss to Iceland. Hodgson was the highest paid manager in the tournament, making about $4.7 million annually.

While some are refuting the report, other analyst think that it would be a good move, personally, for Klinsmann to advance his career. It would certainly add more pressure to his plate.

"Klinsmann may actually be better suited for the England job than the one he has right now," Goal.com's Ives Galarcep wrote. "England may have looked completely lost in Monday's loss to Iceland, but there is no disputing the English have a generation of impressive young talent coming up the pipeline. It is a group with much more talent than self belief, at least that's how it looked in France this month."

"Klinsmann is very much a motivator and someone who can convince young players they are capable of anything," Galarcep wrote. "He also has the ability to make tough decisions. Wayne Rooney isn't good enough? See ya Wayne. Joe Hart looking too shaky to rely on anymore? Don't bother coming back Joe. From his benching of Oliver Kahn ahead of the 2006 World Cup to his dropping of Landon Donovan from the 2014 U.S. World Cup team, Klinsmann has shown he won't shy away from any move he feels needs to be made."

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Arsene Wegner has been called the top target for the English, as noted by Luke Edwards of the Telegraph.

"It just feels like the right time for him and he may as well be British, given the amount of time he has spent in this country," Edwards wrote. "Hugely experienced, knowledgeable and commands respect."

"The outstanding candidate for me and might just be ready to leave Arsenal after the criticism of the last two years," Edwards wrote.

Klinsmann, 51, had a successful run as a player for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1990's. His 2014 World Cup coaching performance dwarfed that of England, who failed to win a game, while his side escaped the group of death. Klinsmann also coached Germany to a World Cup semifinal and is coming off of coaching the USMNT into the Copa America semifinals. He made $3.2 million in 2014 and has a base salary of about $2.5 million through 2018.

Klinsmann was 20-8-6 in two seasons with Germany. He has won 56 percent of his games with the United States.

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