Bob Bradley comes out fighting during Swansea unveiling after becoming the Premier League's first American boss

  • Bob Bradley has been unveiled as the new manager of Swansea City
  • He was announced as boss on Monday, replacing Francesco Guidolin
  • Bradley, 58, is the first American to manage in the Premier League
  • The former USA national boss knows he needs to earn respect 

The new drill sergeant of Swansea City intends to draw on the example of his war hero father as he begins his task as the Premier League's first American manager.

Bob Bradley used his public unveiling at Swansea's Marriott Hotel on Friday to address the usual stereotypes and assumptions made about Americans who make their living in this game.

He won't use the term 'soccer', he said, though he might occasionally say 'field' instead of pitch. The parodies of American coaches were 'bull****,' he added. 

Bob Bradley has been unveiled as Swansea manager following his appointment on Monday

Bob Bradley has been unveiled as Swansea manager following his appointment on Monday

Bradley,  on the beach in Swansea, is the first American to manage in the Premier League

Bradley, on the beach in Swansea, is the first American to manage in the Premier League

Bradley has a job on his hands, given the fact he has taken over a side sitting 17th in the table

Bradley has a job on his hands, given he's taking over a side sitting 17th in the Premier League

All very light-hearted and yet Swansea's precarious situation will ask a serious question of the 58-year-old new man's ability at this level, having worked most recently in the French second tier after stints in Norway and Egypt.

It is an unusual path to the Premier League and Bradley alluded to the scepticism that followed his appointment.

'Let's be clear,' he said. 'No matter what your name is, if you come to the Premier League you have to earn respect. No one gets it on a plate. You get tested.

'In everything I've done in life, I've fully understood you have to earn respect.

'My father is a point. He grew up in a state home, but goes to high school, joined the Marines, gets a Purple Heart (wounds medal) in Korea.

'My father never talked about Marines, his upbringing — the only thing that mattered was that we understood what was right and whatever you want to do in life you have to work hard and earn respect. 

Bradley, on the beach in Swansea, is the first American to manage in the Premier League

Bradley, on the beach in Swansea, is the first American to manage in the Premier League

Indeed, he is the first American to manage in any of European football's five leading leagues

Indeed, he is the first American to manage in any of European football's five leading leagues

He has replaced Italian Francesco Guidolin, who left his role at the club on Monday

He has replaced Italian Francesco Guidolin, who left his role at the club on Monday

'I've learned that lesson. I'll be myself and I will show it every day to get that.

'When the talk is about proving yourself, yes, I understand that. There will be sceptics but I don't care. I love football and I believe in my ability. I am going to step on the field with the same kind of energy and passion and commitment I had the rest of my career.

'Whatever happens, happens. After that, people can say or write whatever the flip they want. This parody stuff (on Americans in football) is bull****.' 

His first game in charge of Swansea is a visit to the Emirates to take on Arsenal on October 15

His first game in charge of Swansea is a visit to the Emirates to take on Arsenal on October 15

Prior to joining Swansea, Bradley was in charge of French second division side Le Havre

Bradley knows he must earn respect in his new role, just as any incoming manager would

Bradley knows he must earn respect in his new role, just as any incoming manager would

Bradley has revealed his father's grandparents were originally from Scotland

Bradley has revealed his father's grandparents were originally from Scotland

It promises to be interesting, not least because Bradley across the course of two hours on Friday demonstrated he will not back away from a confrontation.

In this instance it was Jurgen Klinsmann who drew a mild rebuke. The German criticised Bradley's management of the USA team at the 2010 World Cup and it was put to Bradley that Klinsmann, the current US coach, had recently backed him to do a good job in England.

But Bradley re-opened an old wound, saying: 'From the day I got fired from the US (in 2011), I've not said one thing publicly about that team. I don't appreciate the way it was done. They made a mistake. I'm glad that Jurgen said some nice things now but when he did commentary on the 2010 World Cup, he was already jockeying for the job.'

Bradley inadvertently avoided another confrontation. His Swansea predecessor, Italian Francesco Guidolin, checked out of the Marriott shortly before Bradley started talking. The old boss has gone, the first American has checked in.

His most notable position to date is as manager of the United States national team

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