Bolton Wanderers coach Neil Lennon on Friday slammed USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann for what he called “a complete lack of respect” for defender Tim Ream. Ream onMonday was called into Dublin just 24 hours before the USA’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland after fellow defender John Brooks tweaked an ankle in training. The27-year-old came on as a sub in the 87th-minute of that game, with the score already 4-1 to the Irish, leaving his club coach incensed.
“They call him in on the night before the game so he hasto get a flight on Tuesday morning to Dublin and then play one minute of an international,” Lennon told the Bolton News. “I want an explanation. They had two games and they should have calledhim in after that initial game. People wonder why footballers don’t want to play for their country any more. I’m not saying that is the case with Tim, but when you see them being treated like that itmakes me very angry.”
The former Celtic boss added: “There is a complete lack of respect for the player and a lack of respect for our club. I am still waiting on an explanation from someone. Ihave contacted the American FA [USSF] and made my feelings pretty clear.”