Former U.S. coach Bruce Arena took charge of the New York Red Bulls on Monday, handling his first practice since being named head coach on July 18.
The practice took place at New Jersey City University on a field, the New York Times pointed out, that was strewn with goose droppings.
"It amazes me that in 11 years in the league, this organization has been unable to accomplish building a training facility," said Arena. "With Red Bull, that will change. If you want to be professional, you need a place to train. I have to give the players credit, because they have held up well against all this adversity.”
Arena also provided his usual serving of wisecracks. The New Jersey Herald News reported that Arena, when told that he would be the Red Bulls fourth coach in a year, said 5-foot-5 interim coach Richie Williams shouldn’t be included on the list.
"People under five feet don’t count."
He also chided former Red Bulls general manager Alexi Lalas when asked about his rebuilding plans.
"I heard somebody call this thing a super club one time," said Arena. "Whatever drugs that person was taking, I would like a boat-load of them. It sure makes you silly."
Also at practice was Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff, who left the club more than a month ago to attend to his ill mother in France but stirred controversy when TV cameras caught him attending a World Cup game in Germany. Arena said Djorkaeff, 38, was one of the practice session’s best player.
Seven-year MLS veteran Dema Kovalenko, who left the league in 2005 for the Ukrianian club FC Metalurh Zaporizhya, is training with the Red Bulls and may be offered a contract.