Bradley's challenge to revive Africa's 'monster'

CAIRO — Bob Bradley isn't interested in talking about the man who replaced him as the United States' coach, not now that he has the daunting challenge of reviving the hopes of the "monster" of African football.

Having been let go by the USSF in July after five years in charge — and replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann — the 53-year-old Bradley has re-emerged as head coach of Egypt and is faced with what he calls "the big responsibility."

The task ahead is to lead Africa's most successful team ever and follow in the footsteps of its best ever coach, all at a time of historic change in the North African country on and off the pitch.

"Leaving as coach of the U.S. national team wasn't my decision," Bradley said in an interview with The Associated Press this week. But he made it clear that he has now moved on, and that his mind is set on restoring Egypt's status in the game.

Against the backdrop of the revolution that swept former president Hosni Mubarak from power, the Egyptian national team had one if its worst ever failures this year.

The three-time defending African Cup of Nations champion and record seven-time winner of the continental championship, Egypt didn't even qualify for next year's tournament — for the first time in 34 years.

The respected tactician Hassan Shehata, who led the Pharaohs to those three successive titles, was forced out as coach and Bradley — an American who had never coached outside of the United States — was handed the task of returning Egypt to the top of African football.

After the dismal failure of an aging squad, Bradley also must develop a new generation of players to make Egypt, in his words, "the monster of Africa" again.

"It does not put me under pressure," Bradley told the AP in Cairo. "Hassan Shehata is a very good coach. He had big achievements with the Egyptian national team and we can say he made history. His performance was excellent and it makes me proud to be here with this team."

Bradley's new job is about restoring national pride, such is the unchallenged status of football as the No. 1 sport in Egypt and its link with the country's people.

"As an American I saw on TV and read about the January revolution and I respect what the Egyptians have done for what they believe. And when you are a coach of a national team your team must be connected to the people.

"Players must know when they wear the national team jersey that they are playing for millions of people who love the team of this country."