Gordon Bradley, the only person to coach Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff, has announced his retirement as the men’s soccer head coach at George Mason University, effective Dec. 1. Bradley, 67, will remain at George Mason as a special assistant to the Athletic Director. A search for his successor will begin immediately, and Bradley will assist with the search. Bradley’s retirement ends a 16-year association with George Mason that saw him compile an overall record of 183-113-35 (.606 winning percentage), posting the most victories among the seven coaches in the 33-year history of the program. George Mason finished 8-10-1 overall and 3-4-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2000. Bradley guided George Mason to three CAA championships (sharing the title with American in 1985 and winning outright in 1986 and 1989) and six appearances in the NCAA Tournament (1985-87, ’89-90, ’96). The most recent NCAA berth came in 1996 when the Patriots knocked off Virginia, 1-0, in Charlottesville before falling to eventual national champion St. John’s in the second round. “I have really enjoyed my time here, but it’s time to explore other avenues,” said Bradley. “I’m confident the George Mason program is in fine shape, or I wouldn’t be leaving. But it’s time to devote myself to my wife, Vera, and my family. I’ve traveled the world; she hasn’t. It’s her turn now. “This decision does not mean, however, that I’m finished with coaching. I’ll never close that door. Soccer has been my love and passion since I was a kid. The game has been great to me, and I’d like to think I’ve been good for the game. I’ve seen soccer progress by leaps and bounds since my arrival here in the United States, and I feel the U.S. National Team will be a true contender for a World Cup title in a short time.” “Gordon Bradley obviously has played a large part in the success of the George Mason athletic program over the past two decades,” said Tom O’Connor, the GMU Director of Athletics. “He’s a very important part of this community and I’m pleased he’s willing to remain a part of the Patriot family.” Soccer has been a large part of Bradley’s life. His involvement with bringing professional soccer to the New York and Washington metropolitan areas has served as a guiding force in the advancement of youth soccer programs both locally and nationally. Bradley’s success in these areas earned him induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame (1996) in Oneonta, N.Y. He also was inducted into the Eastern New York Soccer Hall of Fame in May 1997, was a Distinguished Honoree at the Immigrant Achievement Awards in March 1998, and was inducted into the Washington (DC) Hall of Stars in April 1999. Beginning his professional playing career at the age of 16 when he competed in his native England for the Bradford Park Avenue and Carlisle United clubs, Bradley joined the Toronto City squad in the Eastern Canadian Professional League in 1963 and was accorded all-star honors as a midfielder. In 1967, Bradley came to the United States as a player, and then as coach for the New York Generals. In 1972, the newly named New York Cosmos won the North American Soccer League (NASL) championship under Bradley’s guidance. Upon his arrival in the Washington area in 1979, Bradley was vice president and coach of the NASL’s Washington Diplomats. Later, he served as vice president for the U.S. national team squad known as Team America. He also was general manager of the American Soccer League’s Washington Stars, which later merged with the Maryland Bays. He has seen several of his past Patriot players advance into the professional ranks, with Denis Hamlett, Rich Kotschau and Joseph Addo competing in MLS.