Occasionally when you are the son of the manager, it can be a double edged sword. Those looking to cause shenanigans will claim that favouritism among father and son teams causes problems. Brian Clough, when he managed his son Nigel at Nottingham Forest, refused to even acknowledge him by his first name, simply referring to Nigel as “our Number 9”. Managers who manage their sons may, far from being too lenient with their offspring, be too critical. It is a fine balancing act for the manager and the player and it can be problematic.
Not that this will be a problem for Bob Bradley and his son Michael during this summer’s World Cup Finals in South Africa. One exception to the rule seems to be the Bradley family, US Coach Bob Bradley and his son Michael, who will compete in the World Cup Finals together this summer in South Africa.
Michael Bradley was born in Princeton, New Jersey when Bob was the coach of the Princeton University soccer team. As a youngster, when Bob moved to Illinois to coach the Chicago Fire in the MLS, Michael was brought up in Palatine and at an early age, grew to love the game in the same way as his father.
After an impressive career in Junior leagues, Michael signed up with the MLS Superdraft in 2004 and was selected 36th overall by the New York Metrostars, who just so happened to be coached by his father. Michael’s second year was big for both father and son, with a proud Bob leading his team into playoffs and Michael heading in the goal against Chivas USA that got them there.
Bradley soon gained attention of foreign teams, leading him to leave the Metrostars in 2006 to play for Holland’s SC Heerenveen team. Bradley’s success continued with Holland as he played well enough to land the team a place in the UEFA Cup and achieving an incredible 20 goals in the 2007-2008 season.
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.
Because young Bradley has done so well, no one was really surprised when he was promoted to the ranks of the US National Team. Bob Bradley began coaching the team in 2006, leading Michael to become the core of the US midfield, setting up plays so that offensive players such as Landon Donovan can exercise the freedom to get towards the goal.
Both Bradley men have much to be proud of this summer, when the two will bring the US to compete in South Africa with dreams of winning it all.
