23.01.2015 21:34 h

Klinsmann's right-hand man Herzog to coach US Olympic team

Andreas Herzog, an assistant to US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann and his former teammate at Bayern Munich, was named Friday as coach of the American under-23 team.

That puts the all-time Austrian caps leader in charge of directing US talent into the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Herzog, 46, scored 26 goals in 103 games for Austria from 1988 to 2003, including two World Cup appearances.

He also had stints as an assistant and under-23 coach with the Austrian national set-up.

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to coach the US under-23 team," Herzog said. "We recognize the special place that the Olympic Games have in this country and we are committed as a group to qualifying for Rio in 2016."

Herzog, who played with Klinsmann when Bayern won the 1996 UEFA Cup, finished his playing career with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2004. He was hired as a US assistant by Klinsmann in December of 2011.

"Andi has plenty of experience and knowledge in order to prepare this group for the international level," Klinsmann said.

"He understands the challenges of putting together a team with players coming from all over. Andi is absolutely ready to step into this role."