Occasionally when you are the son of the manager, it can be a double edged sword. There are the somewhat tiresome claims of nepotism from those seeking to cause mischief. Nigel Clough is well acquainted with the difficulties of being the son of a team manager; his father Brian Clough, while managing Nigel at Nottingham Forest, refused to address his son by name, calling Nigel “our number 9”. Contrary to popular belief, fathers who manage their sons might actually treat them more harshly than the rest of the team. Manager fathers, it seems, may be far tougher on their offspring than they are on the majority of the team. It is a fine balancing act for the manager and the player and it can be problematic.
Bob Bradley and his son are hoping to avoid this kind of problem when they compete in the South African based World Cup Finals this summer.
When Michael Bradley was born in Princeton, New Jersey, his father was already the coach of Princeton University’s soccer team. When Michael was young, his father received a position coaching the MLS Chicago Fire, and Michael was raised in Palatine, gaining a love for the game that rivalled that of his father. After Bob gained a position with the Chicago Fire, Michael grew up in Palatine, and began to enjoy the sport immensely.
The first time the father and son team worked together was when, in 2004, after Junior League fame, Michael signed in the MLS Superdraft to the New York Metrostars, a team coached by his father. Michael’s first professional season didn’t turn out as planned when he suffered an awful foot injury, but his second year kicked off to a fantastic start for both of the Bradleys; Bob succeeded in leading his team to playoffs and Michael played in all but two of the games and headed his first goal to a shocked Chivas USA, securing a spot in the playoffs.
Bradley soon gained attention of foreign teams, leading him to leave the Metrostars in 2006 to play for Holland’s SC Heerenveen team. Bradley quickly impressed the Dutch, playing a key role in the club achieving a place in the UEFA cup and, the following season, scoring an impressive 20 goals in 2007-2008.
Bigger clubs were soon sniffing around, Birmingham City wanted Bradley in their soccer jersey, but their relegation from the Premier League scuppered any chance of a deal. Instead , Borussia Moenchengladbach picked up midfielder Bradley, who has proven to be an asset, playing 58 games in the Bundesliga and racking up seven goals.
Michael Bradley’s success so far exceeded expectations that most took it for granted that he would be promoted to the National Team (and he was). Bob, the elder Bradley, began coaching the US team, and the pair worked together to bring Michael to his current role as the meat of the US midfield sandwich, helping offensive players like Landon Donovan to score big for the team.
The US team is thankful for the father and son duo as they head on to the World Cup Finals in South Africa this summer.
