Jesse Marsch and other American coaches have been "cursed" by the popularity of television series Ted Lasso.
That is the opinion of Jim Curtin, who led the Philadelphia Union to the MLS Cup final last year.
Curtin has spent his entire coaching career so far with the Union, but other Americans have sought to make strides in the European game – with limited success.
Marsch is perhaps the most high-profile example, leaving the New York Red Bulls for Salzburg and then RB Leipzig before landing a Premier League job with Leeds United.
He lasted less than a year at Elland Road, however, and Curtin feels he was hurt by the emergence of Ted Lasso.
Jason Sudeikis portrays the title character in the Apple TV show in which he is appointed as coach of a Premier League club despite having little knowledge of the sport.
"I have to say I like [Ted Lasso], because if I say I hate it, I'm some elitist coach," Curtin told The Athletic.
"I love the humanness of it. I watched the whole first season.
"I give them credit for being at least close to capturing the feeling in the locker room. They get that there are people from different cultures, a**holes, nice guys, there are wives who are annoying, who are problems.
"That's all real. He comes off as loveable.
"Do I think it's set back the American coach 20 years? Yes, I do. We worked so hard to get to Europe, and then Jesse breaks in and it's like what a curse to have that show break out at the same time he's there.
"You can feel it with [Marsch]. He seems so angry at it, but if you show that, they'll chew you up and spit you out."
Jarrod Bowen nets late winner as West Ham win Europa Conference League
Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute winner saw West Ham end their 43-year wait for a trophy with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.
The Hammers won a first piece of silverware since 1980’s FA Cup, and a first European trophy since 1965, on a historic and emotional night in Prague.
Yes, it may be only Europe’s third-tier competition, the one treated as an unwanted distraction by Tottenham, among others, in its inaugural form last season.
But this is West Ham. The West Ham who routinely see relegation as an occupational hazard. The West Ham who made a song and dance of leaving their old stadium and an almighty hash of moving into the new one. The West Ham who had to go begging to their former manager to save them from the drop, 18 months after they got rid of him when he had done just that.
Just nine weeks ago that same manager watched as the away fans unfurled a ‘Moyes Out’ banner during a scratchy 1-0 win over Fulham, which likely saved his job.
Now David Moyes has written his name in West Ham folklore, joining Ron Greenwood and John Lyall as trophy-winning Hammers managers. A place in next season’s Europa League means the club has qualified for Europe three seasons in a row, for the first time.
And what a way to sign off for Declan Rice, destined to leave this summer but with the legacy of becoming only the third captain, along with Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, to lift silverware in the club’s 128-year history.
The Hammers have given their fans, 5,000 of whom were – officially at least – in attendance and the 20,000-or so who just wanted to be in Prague for their first European final in 47 years, the ride of their lives.
Fiorentina’s Cristiano Biraghi struck by object thrown from West Ham fans
The Europa Conference League final was stopped briefly after West Ham fans threw objects towards Fiorentina’s players.
Plastic pint glasses were hurled from the West Ham end throughout the first half at the Eden Arena in Prague.
Referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande eventually halted play after Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was hit by another missile as he went to take a corner shortly before half-time.
Biraghi had suffered a cut to the back of his head and required treatment and a bandage.
A message over the PA system urged supporters to stop throwing objects on to the pitch and to respect the players, before play eventually resumed with the score still 0-0.
I am going to Miami – Lionel Messi heading for MLS after Paris St Germain exit
Lionel Messi has announced he is to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.
The 35-year-old Argentina forward had been strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, to join a league which already features Cristiano Ronaldo and now Karim Benzema.
However, with Messi’s two-year contract at Paris St Germain coming to an end this month, the World Cup winner confirmed in a joint interview with Spanish publications Mundo Deportivo and Sport he was set to head to the United States.
“I made the decision that I am going to go to Miami,” Messi said.
“I still haven’t closed it one hundred per cent. I’m missing some things, but we decided to continue on the path.”
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