Norwegian Club Stabaek Separates from Former USMNT Coach Bob Bradley

Bob Bradley, the former head coach of the United States national soccer team, has decided to leave his role as head coach of the Norwegian club Stabaek. The resignation, effective immediately, was announced by the club on Monday. This move follows Stabaek’s disappointing performance over the weekend, which saw them lose 3-2 at home to IK Start, marking their third straight defeat.

This latest loss has placed Stabaek in seventh position, with seven matches left in the season. The team is currently tied on points with Lyn, who holds the sixth spot and the final place for promotion playoffs.

Bjørn Helge Riise will step in as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Stabaek chairman Espen Moe acknowledged Bradley’s contributions, stating, “Bob will forever be a special part of the club’s history — a wise football head with enormous work capacity and great commitment.” He noted that after a prolonged period of inconsistent results and limited progress, the decision was reached mutually with Bradley to part ways. Moe expressed gratitude for Bradley’s efforts and wished him the best for the future.

This was not Bradley’s first time managing Stabaek; he previously held the position from 2014 to 2015. During that time, he made history as the first American to manage within a top European league and successfully guided the team to qualify for the Europa League.

After leaving Stabaek, Bradley had coaching stints with teams such as Le Havre, Swansea City, LAFC, and Toronto FC. He returned to Stabaek last year, hoping to prevent the team from relegation from the Norwegian top division; however, this effort did not come to fruition.

Bradley’s coaching career began in American college soccer, where he worked with Ohio University, the University of Virginia as an assistant, and Princeton University. Following these positions, he served as an assistant with the U.S. Under-23 men’s national team and D.C. United. He made a significant mark when he took charge of the Chicago Fire as an expansion team, leading them to secure both the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup in his debut season.

In 2006, he became manager of the U.S. men’s national team, initially in an interim capacity before receiving the full-time role. Under his leadership, the team won the 2007 Gold Cup and reached the round of 16 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, after a setback in the 2011 Gold Cup final against Mexico, he was dismissed from his position.

Shortly thereafter, Bradley took charge of Egypt’s national team, where he came close to securing a spot in the 2014 World Cup even amid significant challenges, including a two-year suspension of Egypt’s domestic league following the tragic Port Said Stadium disaster in 2012.

Looking ahead, if Bradley chooses to return to Major League Soccer, he may find several clubs in search of a head coach. Potential suitors include Atlanta United FC, Chicago Fire FC, FC Dallas, St. Louis City SC, and the San Jose Earthquakes.