CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena drove a golf cart to his regular session with the media on Friday.
It wasn’t necessarily among the perks that resulted from his winning a record fifth MLS Cup title in December or receiving U.S. Soccer’s prestigious Werner Fricker Builder Award, which goes to individuals recognized for their devotion in fostering interest and growth in the sport.
No, Arena wheeled over because his left knee still hadn’t fully recovered from replacement surgery last month.
“It’s getting better. It’s going to be a while,” he told reporters.
That Arena, who arrived in Southern California in August of 2008, was back with the Galaxy for the opening of training camp may have surprised some, considering there were various reports indicating he was considering retiring at the conclusion of what turned out to be a historic 2014 campaign. But the 63-year-old, who did sign a multi-year contract extension last season, grudgingly admitted riding off into the so-called sunset crossed his mind at one point.
“When I had the surgery I thought about it a little bit,” he told reporters. “You always think about whether you have the energy to continue doing what you need to do. Once I come to a conclusion that I can keep doing it I do it.”
Arena was in a joking mood when asked he if ever thought about what else he might do once he did call it a career.
“I thought I’d wear a yellow shirt and a hat and hang out,” he added in teasing a reporter. “I imagine there’s going to be plenty of time to do other things at some point.”
In the meantime he will devote his attention to a Galaxy team that just won its third MLS Cup in four seasons but must offset the losses of two of its most popular players, Landon Donovan (to retirement) and Marcelo Sarvas (a trade to Colorado).
Top assistant Dave Sarachan, who has coached with Arena for years, said he thought all along Arena would return, if for no other reason than he simply loves what he does.
“He’s a competitive guy and I think he still feels he has the energy and the drive to keep going,” Sarachan said. “I think it’s like that age-old thing where you’ll know when you know.
“What keeps him coming back is he enjoys the locker room, he enjoys the relationships he forms, he enjoys the competition and the challenge of just seeing if it can be done again.”
Veteran left back Todd Dunivant, one of the Galaxy’s elder statesmen despite being only 34, said he doesn’t expect Arena’s approach to change despite him being in the twilight of his coaching career.
“His biggest strength is he’s relentless every day,” Dunivant said. “He doesn’t let his guard down and he doesn’t let his team drop its guard. He never lets his standard drop and he always wants to push for more.”
Arena said he simply can’t picture being inactive.
“The fact I plan on living a while longer, I need to have something to do,” Arena said. “What else do you suggest I do? It’s not going to continue for the rest of my life, that’s for sure.
“In the short term, this is what I do.”
