Earthquakes rent Bruce Area as head coach, sporting director

The San Jose Earthquakes stuffed their head teaching emptiness within the type of one among MLS’ well-known figures.

Bruce Area has been employed as the brand new head coach and sporting director of the Quakes, the membership introduced Thursday. Area brings over 5 a long time of teaching expertise to San Jose, most lately serving as head coach of the New England Revolution till September 2023.

“Bruce is probably the most achieved coach in American soccer historical past, and we’re thrilled to carry him to San Jose,” mentioned Earthquakes Managing Companion John Fisher. “With an unsurpassed monitor document in any respect ranges of soccer in our nation that features quite a few MLS Cups and Supporters’ Shields, he’s the perfect alternative to guide the Earthquakes. We all know he’ll assist get the membership again to the extent that San Jose and the Bay Space deserve, profitable video games and competing for championships.”

Area has received 5 MLS Cups, 4 Supporters’ Shields, one CONCACAF Champions Cup, and one U.S. Open Cup throughout his profession. He has received probably the most regular-season video games (262) and postseason video games (35) in MLS historical past and been named MLS Coach of the Yr a document 4 occasions.

On the worldwide degree, Area led the U.S. males’s nationwide crew to 2 FIFA World Cups, whereas making the quarterfinals for the primary time in 72 years. He received the CONCACAF Gold Cup thrice and holds the USMNT document with 81 victories.

“I’m extraordinarily excited for the chance to return to San Jose,” mentioned Area. “I coached my first ever skilled recreation at Spartan Stadium in 1996 — the primary recreation in MLS historical past — and my first worldwide recreation with the U.S. in 1998 was in San Jose as effectively. The Earthquakes and Northern California have a proud soccer custom. There’s quite a lot of potential with the membership, and I’m wanting ahead to working with everybody right here to unlock that potential and get again to profitable methods.”

Normal Supervisor Chris Leitch will report back to Area within the 73-year-old’s new function in San Jose.

The Quakes didn’t make the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2024 for the third time previously 4 seasons.