Bradley was originally appointed national coach on a caretaker basis, though a run of ten games unbeaten quickly convinced the powers that be that he deserved the role on a permanent basis. And anyone who doubted his credentials would have been silenced by events at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, where the USA ousted favourites Spain in the semi-finals before going down to a narrow 3-2 final defeat to Brazil.

Before taking over the national team in December 2006, he had previously coached in the American college game and later in Major League Soccer, managing the Chicago Fire, MetroStars, and Chivas USA over nine seasons.

His son, Michael Bradley, is a professional footballer currently playing with Borussia Mönchengladbach of the German Bundesliga and the national team.

Background and college career
Bradley was born and raised in New Jersey, playing soccer at West Essex High School and Princeton University. Bradley's managing career started in 1981, when he was named the manager of Ohio University at the age of 22.

He was lured away by University of Virginia manager Bruce Arena and spent two years as his assistant, before taking the top job at his alma mater, Princeton. Bradley led the Tigers from 1984 to 1995, winning two Ivy League titles and reaching the NCAA Final Four in 1993.