Scuffed | U.S. soccer, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America

Episode 48: Interview with Brian Clarhaut, a young American manager making his way in Europe

Episode Summary

Clarhaut is the 32-year-old manager of Nyköpings BIS, a club in the Swedish third division. He’s taken the road less traveled. Grew up in New Jersey, played college soccer, was an assistant coach at a few colleges in the Northeast, and then got an assistant coaching job in Sweden and was named head coach at the club mid-season in 2017 when his boss was fired. He gave Scuffed a wide-ranging interview that covered his coaching path, his work in Nyköping, his views on the U.S. men’s national team, and some of his personal coaching philosophy, among other things.

Episode Notes

Brian Clarhaut (pronounced Clair-heart) is the 32-year-old manager of Nyköpings BIS (pronounced New-shoppings BISS) in the Swedish third division. He’s taken the road less traveled. Grew up in New Jersey, played college soccer, was an assistant at a few colleges in the Northeast, and then got an assistant coaching job in Sweden and was named head coach at the club mid-season in 2017. He gave a wide-ranging interview explaining his coaching path, his work in Nyköping, his views on the U.S. men’s national team and his coaching philosophy, among other things.

I broke the interview into three parts:

• 0:30 Clarhaut’s background, how he ended up coaching in Nyköping, how he landed the head coaching job, what third division soccer in Sweden is like, and how the last couple seasons have gone.
• 38:00 The state of American soccer, the Berhalter appointment, differences between MLS and European playing style, and American players he rates.
• 56:50 Coaching soccer in general, including UEFA licensing courses, his role models, his philosophy and use of periodization.