CHICAGO — U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati announced yesterday that Bruce Arena is out as the men's national team coach.

His departure comes after a disappointing World Cup in which the United States failed to advance from its group and managed only a draw and one scored goal in three matches.

Although Arena's contract runs through December, Gulati will begin a search for a new coach immediately. Juergen Klinsmann, who quit the German national team after leading it to a third-place finish, is expected to be a leading candidate.

Arena, who led the U.S. to a 71-30-29 record since being hired in October 1998, was unable to recreate the same success his side achieved when making a run to the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals. He'll leave after losses to the Czech Republic and Ghana and a draw with eventual champion Italy at this year's World Cup.

"It comes down primarily to eight years being a long period," Gulati said via conference call. "Obviously, we didn't get the results we wanted in the World Cup."

Besides being the longest-tenured U.S. men's soccer national team coach, Arena has most victories and highest winning percentage at .658. He led the U.S. to its highest ever FIFA ranking at No. 4 in April.

"I've had a blast, and I'm not looking back," he told the Miami Herald. "I'm looking forward. I feel good about what I've done, and am kind of excited about the future."