The BBC announced their broadcasting lineup for next month’s European Championship and mixed in with the usual pundits like Gary Lineker and Thierry Henry were a couple people that are supposed to have other things to do this June.
In addition to Frank Lampard, who is supposed to be playing for NYCFC in MLS next month, U.S. Men’s National Team manager Jurgen Klinsmann is also on for BBC’s coverage as the two will “make multi-platform contributions across the four-week tournament.”
This wouldn’t be a problem most times for Klinsmann to do a bit of media because as a former Euro champion, he would be a logical choice to contribute on any network’s Euro coverage. But he is managing the United States in the Copa America Centenario that month. You know, the second biggest men’s soccer tournament the United States has ever hosted and maybe the best chance to face some of the top teams in the Americas in a competitive environment on the way to the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
It’s unknown how much Klinsmann will be doing for the BBC, but it apparently will only happen via satellite after the USMNT is done with Copa America.
To clarify Klinsmann's involvement with the BBC for the Euros, he will only potentially broadcast from LA and only after he’s done with Copa
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) May 9, 2016
Given the USMNT’s recent form culminating in a must-win World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala last March to all but get into the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying, Klinsmann’s temporary job comes at a bad time when many feel he hasn’t adequately been doing his main job. It’s one thing to do that when the team is doing well but at 8-3-5 since last year’s Gold Cup with inconsistent performances throughout, it’s easy to see why many fans will look at this and not be pleased.
It should be noted that Euro 2016 lasts from June 10 to July 10 while the Copa America Centenario runs from June 3 to June 26 and if the United States fails to get out of their tough group of Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay, their final game would be on June 11, one day after the Euro’s begin.
On that timeframe, that would give Klinsmann enough time after the Copa America or after the United States is eliminated to go work for the BBC for the rest of Euro 2016. Still, just the appearance of Klinsmann heading to cover Euro 2016 for the BBC during the same summer as the Copa America Centenario can give many the impression that Klinsmann isn’t too confident in his team making a deep run or that his attention might be elsewhere.
UPDATE (May 10, 11:20 AM ET): USMNT Press Officer Michael Kammarman confirmed that Klinsmann was approached but does not currently have a deal to do the Euros with the BBC. If there were to be a deal, Klinsmann would be interviewed via satellite from Los Angeles and only after the Copa America tournament has concluded.
[BBC]
