Bob Bradley has never seen Ted Lasso, the TV show set around an American college football coach who finds himself leading a soccer team in England.

“Everybody tells me that I should watch it but I have not,” Bradley said from his home in New Jersey, almost nine years on from his experience. “I lived that a little bit, so I’m not ready to watch it yet.”

Bradley led Swansea City in 2016, becoming the first American to manage a team in the Premier League. But his stint itself was hardly historic; lasting just 11 games and 85 days.

He was not lacking qualifications. Before landing in Swansea, Bradley led two national teams, including the US at the 2010 World Cup and Egypt; Chicago Fire, Metrostars and Chivas USA in MLS; Stabaek in Norway and Le Havre in France. But his American soccer résumé was always a factor, as other coaches to follow him across the pond also learned.

“You always have to prove yourself,” Bradley said. “And when you come from the outside, it is going to be even more the case.”

Tolerance for bad results was little, and abuse from fans – many of whom saw Americans...