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ESPN staff 8y

Bruce Arena is America's Sir Alex Ferguson - LA Galaxy's Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane has hailed LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena as America's answer to Manchester United great Sir Alex Ferguson while Steven Gerrard wants to help the former U.S. boss lift the MLS Cup this season.

Arena has been named MLS Coach of the Year three times in his career, winning a record five MLS Cups -- three of them with the Galaxy in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

The 64-year-old also led USMNT to 2002 World Cup quarterfinals, and Galaxy forward Keane says his coach has every right to be compared to Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies in a 26-year Old Trafford career.

"As a coach, you're judged on how many championships you've won, how many trophies you've won," Keane told reporters in Southern California. "Bruce is the most successful manager in America. That speaks for itself.

"In terms of America and England, Bruce would be the Alex Ferguson in America, and that's the highest compliment I can give him."

Keane played for the likes of Inter Milan, Leeds, Tottenham (twice) and Liverpool before joining the Galaxy in 2011, and has won three MLS Cup titles under Bruce's leadership.

The Republic of Ireland striker said of the coach's style: "Every coach I've had, usually the training sessions are very, very similar, in terms of what they do. Some people's man-management skills are a little bit different than other people's.

"Sometimes you have fiery people, like Gordon Strachan -- he's very, very fiery, will get the best out of players.

"Bruce is very calm around the place and then can have a go at people if things aren't going well."

Gerrard, who joined the Galaxy from Liverpool this summer, said: "I've been blessed to work with the best. I've worked with some phenomenal coaches, and Bruce, unfortunately, has got me towards the end of my career, but I've certainly enjoyed the ride so far.

"[We were] very disappointed to go out the playoffs so early last year, but I'm determined to help Bruce have a successful season because he's done an awful lot for me.

"He's gone out of his way to get me here. He showed an aggression and a passion, a love toward me, to get me here, and I'd love nothing better than to finish [this] year on a high, and part of that is for Bruce."

Gerrard has gained his UEFA B badge, and says he will be working on his A badge this season as he considers whether this will be his final campaign as a player.

"I'm certainly low down on the ladder, as far as coaching and management roles are concerned," the former Anfield skipper said.

"I've got dreams and aspirations of one day moving into them roles, but I think first and foremost you have to be good enough.

"You can't just expect a big job and a big role because you've played in the Premiership for so many years, you've got so many international caps.

"You've got to get your quality and get some experience and then see what roles come your way and then see whether you feel good enough and actually do them.

"Because it's a brutal game, being a coach and manager this day and age, especially in the Premier League. Managers are getting 10 games, 12 games [to prove themselves]."

Keane, also 35, has his UEFA A and B licenses and will begin coaching "when I finish playing, in four years, five years."

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