U.S. Soccer denied rumors out of Mexico that Bora Milutinovic, the embattled Mexican national team coach, would return to the United States to coach the U.S. national team.
“There is absolutely no truth to the rumors,” said U.S. Soccer secretary general Hank Steinbrecher. “We respect Bora very much and have followed his activity in Mexico, but we do not contemplate his return to the national team of the United States. Frankly, there is nothing more to say.”
The Mexican soccer federation (FMF) has not decided whether it will retain Milutinovic for next year’s final round of World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region. Rumors in Mexico City indicate that FMF is considering replacing Milutinovic with Dutchman Johan Cruyff.
Unsubstantiated reports also had Milutinovic headed to the United States to coach the Los Angeles Galaxy, who recently rehired Lothar Osiander for the 1997 season. Milutinovic, though, has talked with MetroStars officials informally about their vacant head coaching job.