SAN JOSE, Calif. — Bruce Arena, a renowned figure in U.S. soccer, has been named the new head coach and sporting director of the San Jose Earthquakes for the upcoming 2025 MLS season. This announcement was made by the team on Thursday, cementing Arena’s return to the league where he has established a remarkable legacy.
With five MLS championships to his name, Arena stands as the most successful coach in the league’s history, as well as for the U.S. men’s national team. Earthquakes managing partner John Fisher expressed confidence in Arena’s abilities, stating, “With an unsurpassed track record at all levels of soccer in our country that includes numerous MLS Cups and Supporters’ Shields, he’s the ideal choice to lead the Earthquakes. We know he will help get the club back to the level that San Jose and the Bay Area deserve, winning games and competing for championships.”
During his illustrious career, Arena has celebrated victories in two MLS championships with D.C. United and three more during his tenure with the LA Galaxy in 2011, 2012, and 2014. His impressive records include 262 regular-season wins and 35 playoff victories, making him the most accomplished coach in these areas within MLS history.
On the international stage, Arena guided the U.S. men’s national team to two World Cup competitions, achieving a notable quarterfinal finish in 2002—the first occurrence of such a feat since 1930. However, the team struggled to advance beyond the group stage in the 2006 World Cup. In addition, Arena has led the national team to three Concacaf Gold Cup victories, accumulating an impressive 81 wins—the highest for any men’s national team head coach.
“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to come to San Jose,” Arena remarked. He reflected on his beginnings in the area, noting, “I coached my first ever professional game at Spartan Stadium in 1996 — the first game in MLS history — and my first international game with the U.S. in 1998 was in San Jose as well. The Earthquakes and Northern California have a proud soccer tradition. There’s a lot of potential with the club, and I am looking forward to working with everyone here to unlock that potential and get back to winning ways.”
In his upcoming dual role, Arena will report directly to the club’s ownership, with the current general manager Chris Leitch falling under his supervision. The Earthquakes had a challenging season, finishing last in the Western Conference with a disappointing record of 6-25-3. This led to the dismissal of coach Luchi Gonzalez early in the season, with assistant coach Ian Russell stepping in as an interim replacement for the remainder of the year.