In an interview with Goal.com, former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena reflects on his time with the New York Red Bulls, which lasted for little more than a year. Arena complains that Red Bull, the team’s owner, for the most part “didn’t know anything about professional soccer in this country,” and that he inherited a roster “of very little quality” that he was expected to turn into an MLS contender in one season.
“At the end of the day, I wasn’t thrilled with the fact that we didn’t do better,” Arena admits. “If I had to do it over again, certainly there were other things I would have done. But those projects … they take time.” Despite a disappointing season, Arena is proud of the work he put in with the Red Bulls. “I know I worked my ass off there. I’m not regretful about the effort at all,” he said.