A Lively Bob Bradley Calls Out Klinsmann During his First Swansea Presser

Newly appointed Swansea manager Bob Bradley was positively beaming as he made his first public appearance for the Welsh side in a press conference on Friday. And understandably so—the New Jersey native has been vying for a position in one of the world's top leagues for a long time now.

Bradley, over the years, developed a reputation as a stern pragmatist, especially in his interviews, where he rarely strays from talking tactics and praising a positive team dynamic. But today, Bradley seemed extremely animated and off-script, especially when talking about the person who replaced him as U.S. National Team manager: Jurgen Klinsmann.

During the conference, Bradley was asked about Klinsmann's "glowing" statement from two days ago—when Klinsmann characterized Bradley's appointment as "fantastic"—and also about whether Klinsmann could succeed as England's coach. This is how Bradley responded (via Philly.com):

That's the trickiest question I've been asked so far.

From the day I got fired by the U.S., I have not said one thing publicly about their team, alright? I don't appreciate the way it was done – I think they made a mistake. I'm glad that Jurgen says some nice things now. When he did commentary on the 2010 World Cup, he was already jockeying for the job. So I've shut my mouth, and continue to support the team. Because I of course want to see the team do well. Michael's the captain. So if he has said something in a nice way, I appreciate it. And if at some point he chooses to try to work again outside the U.S., I wish him the best.

While Bradley stuck to the facts, he certainly took a detour to the shadier side of things. It's a pretty decent own, if you consider the context. And a great time to do so—while he's at the top of his game. And if that wasn't enough of a jab at Klinsmann, then take a look at what he said about how England should appoint their next manager:

"In England I think you've got to get the right guy from inside. That's my opinion." - Bob Bradley on that national team job
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) October 7, 2016

It's innocuous sounding on the surface, but also maybe a double-play, as it hints at an American-for-the-American-job philosophy—as many in the US Soccer world have argued is the best fit for a USMNT manager—while also ruling out Klinsmann for the job.

There's a not-so-silent minority of USMNT fans who feel like former national team manager Bob Bradley should never have been fired. You can draw a concentric circle around those fans, and the ones who want Klinsmann out on a Venn Diagram. After six years of Bradley not commenting on such a large public stage on his firing by U.S. Soccer (though he has spoken out in the past), you can imagine it's a good day for them and for Bradley.

But U.S. Soccer aside, it seems like Bradley already has one thing going for him in his new job: he's already getting accustomed to the headline-grabbing gossip that the EPL loves so dear.