New England hires Brad Friedel as coach

Former USMNT goalkeeper and TV pundit Brad Friedel is now the coach of the New England Revolution. Friedel holds a UEFA Pro license and coached the USMNT U-19 squad. New England announced the hire on Thursday. Friedel brings with him assistant coaches Mike Lapper and Marcelo Neveleff.

“My staff and I are delighted and honored to have been hired by the New England Revolution,” Friedel said. “I can guarantee that we, the staff and players, will give 100 percent commitment to the club and our fans while looking forward to all the challenges ahead. We can’t wait to get started right away building this club for the 2018 season.”

The Revolution finished in 7th-place in the Eastern Conference, five points out of the final playoff spot. The team fired coach Jay Heaps on September 19, finishing the season under interim coach and Heaps’s assistant Tom Soehn. The Revolution announced that Soehn, assistant Carlos Llamosa, and fitness coach Aidan Byrne wouldn’t return for 2018.

“While Brad’s professional playing pedigree speaks for itself, it is his competitive character and commitment to winning that make me confident his incredible career as a player will translate to success here in New England,” New England GM Michael Burns. “He demands the best out of himself and his players and has a strong presence both in the locker room and on the sidelines, which is why we believe he is the best choice to lead the Revolution.”

Friedel played for the Columbus Crew in 1995 and 96, returning to Europe with Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa, and Spurs. He made 287 appearances with Blackburn from 2000-08. With the USMNT, he played in 82 games over 1992-2005 including games in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.