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Bob Gansler

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The native form of thispersonal nameisGansler Robert.This article usesWestern name orderwhen mentioning individuals.

Bob Gansler
Personal information
Full name Robert Gansler
Date of birth (1941-07-01)July 1, 1941(age 83)
Place of birth Mucsi,Hungary
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1967 Chicago Mustangs
International career
1968 United States 5 (0)
Managerial career
1979–1982 United States U19
1984–1988 UW–Milwaukee Panthers
1987–1989 United States U20
1989–1991 United States
1996–1998 Milwaukee Rampage
1999–2006 Kansas City Wizards
2007 Toronto FC(assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Bob Gansler(born July 1, 1941) is a Hungarian-born Americansoccerplayer and coach of German descent.[1]He coached theU.S. National Teamat the1990 World Cup,the team's first appearance at the tournament since1950.

Playing career

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As a player, Gansler made 25 appearances for the United States between 1963 and 1969, captaining the1964and1968 Olympicqualifying teams and1967 Pan Americanteam. Of his 25 appearances, only 5, all in 1968, came in games considered full internationals.

Gansler played for theChicago Mustangsof theNational Professional Soccer Leaguein 1967. When the NPSL merged with theUnited Soccer Associationto form the North American Soccer League, the Spurs likewise merged with theChicago Mustangs,and Gansler played with the Mustangs of the NASL in 1968.[2][3]

Coaching career

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Gansler served in various coaching positions with the national teams beginning in 1975. In the late 1980s, he served as the coach of the U.S. U-20 national team while also coaching theUniversity of Wisconsin–Milwaukeemen's soccer team. On January 16, 1989, theUnited States Soccer Federationhired him as the full-time coach for theUnited States men's national soccer team,replacingLothar Osiander.Gansler's tenure during the1990 FIFA World Cupwas somewhat controversial, even though he led the United States to its first appearance in the final World Cup tournament in 40 years. He took a team made up primarily of college and amateur players, leaving professionals such asRick DavisandHugo Perezoff the roster. At the time, the United States did not have a top division outdoor soccer league, theNorth American Soccer Leaguehaving folded in 1985. Most domestic professionals at the time played in indoor leagues, and Gansler felt that the skills required for indoor soccer conflicted with the outdoor game. In addition, the United States had been awarded the 1994 World Cup, and Gansler may have wanted to expose the core of the 1994 team to the World Cup experience. Not unexpectedly, the U.S. lost all three games, although the team won a moral victory of sorts by losing to host Italy 1–0; the Italians prevented the embarrassment of a draw thanks to goalkeeperWalter Zenga.

Gansler went on to coach theKansas City Wizards,winning the club's firstMLS Cupin 2000 and theU.S. Open Cup in 2004.He also coached theMilwaukee Rampageto theA-Leaguetitle in 1997. He stepped down from his coaching position with the Wizards on July 19, 2006. Gansler spent the2007 MLS SeasoninCanadaas an assistant coach forToronto FC.

Personal life

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After leaving Toronto FC in 2007, he retired to spend more time with his wife, Nancy, four sons, and 11 grandchildren.[4]

Coaching positions

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Honors

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References

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  1. ^Harvey, Randy (March 20, 1990)."Trip to Hungary Reminds Soccer Coach of Youth".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedJune 15,2009.
  2. ^Litterer, Dave (January 27, 2006)."Chicago's Soccer History".Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2008.RetrievedMay 12,2005.
  3. ^"NASL stats".Archived fromthe originalon December 21, 2013.RetrievedJuly 24,2008.
  4. ^Millson, Larry (December 6, 2007)."Johnston on the hunt for a coach".The Globe and Mail.
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