Milutinovic Sacked or Resigned?

On This Day in 1995, the Former World Cup Manager Was Relieved of or Left His Position

On April 14, Bora Milutinovic's transformative tenure as head coach of the United States National Soccer Team came to an abrupt and contentious end. The Serbian coach, who had guided the Americans to their most significant World Cup performance in decades, found himself at odds with the U.S. Soccer Federation over the expanding expectations of his role.

Milutinovic's journey with the U.S. National Team began in 1991, following a remarkable World Cup success track record with Mexico and Costa Rica. The federation sought a coach who could maximize the potential of a team primarily overlooked on the international stage. From the outset, Milutinovic established himself as a no-nonsense leader, making bold personnel decisions that signaled his commitment to performance over sentiment.

His approach was uncompromising. He cut established players like Peter Vermes, Desmond Armstrong and Bruce Murray from the national team and famously told Alexi Lalas to get a haircut or leave the team. Throughout his 30 matches in the lead-up to the World Cup, Milutinovic never fielded an unchanged lineup, consistently experimenting and providing international experience to younger players.

The 1994 World Cup, hosted on home soil, became the pinnacle of Milutinovic's achievement. Against widespread expectations of another disappointing tournament, he led the U.S. team to its first World Cup victory since 1950, defeating Colombia and advancing to the knockout round. This performance was hailed as a watershed moment for American soccer.

However, his success was not enough to secure his long-term position. U.S. Soccer Federation president Alan Rothenberg and executive director Hank Steinbrecher wanted more than just on-field coaching. They envisioned a national team leader who would also drive coaching development and youth programs—a role Milutinovic had no interest in pursuing.

The separation was murky. While the federation claimed Milutinovic resigned, the coach insisted he was fired. An oral agreement from the previous October, which would have kept him coaching through the 1998 World Cup, suddenly evaporated amid discussions of an expanded role.

Steve Sampson, one of Milutinovic's assistants, was appointed interim coach, leading the team in an upcoming friendly against Belgium. The federation continued its search for a permanent replacement, with Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz emerging as a leading candidate.

Milutinovic's legacy, however, was secure. He had transformed American soccer's international perception, proving that the United States could compete on the global stage. His departure marked the end of a brief but crucial chapter in the nation's soccer history.

"I have no criticism of what they decided," Milutinovic said philosophically. "I did everything they asked me to do and more."