How is ex-Blackburn Rovers and Spurs star Brad Friedel getting on? | OneFootball

A look at one of the Premier League's more iconic goalkeepers

Back when they were a Premier League club in the early 2000s, Blackburn Rovers enjoyed some eye-catching success at that level.

They enjoyed several cup runs both at home and abroad, while also recording some memorable wins over plenty of the big names in the top-flight of English football.

That was of course, helped by the calibre of player that they were able to bring in during that period, which created a competitive side for the level at Ewood Park.

One of the original members of that core Blackburn Rovers squad that became so memorable during their time in the Premier League at the start of last century, was Brad Friedel.

Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham had record-breaking 'keeper

Friedel first moved to Ewood Park in November 2000, when he signed from Liverpool, and instantly enjoyed success with the Lancashire club.

The goalkeeper helped Rovers win promotion back to the Premier League during his first few months with the club.

Then, in the 2001/02 season, Friedel was a key player both in helping Blackburn re-establish themselves in the top-flight, and winning the FA Cup.

Indeed, the American international was named man of the match in the club's 2-1 win over Tottenham in the final.

Friedel then continued to thrive at Ewood Park for several more years, a mainstay between the posts whose excellent performances made him one of the most revered goalkeepers in the league.

He would eventually leave Blackburn in the summer of 2008, having made over 350 appearances in all competitions for the club, to join Aston Villa.

During his time in the Midlands, Friedel was an ever-present for three seasons in the Premier League, continuing to enhance his reputation in the process.

His next move saw him head to Tottenham in the summer of 2011, and he was again a constant feature in the league during his first season with the club.

He would eventually drop to the bench for Spurs in the Premier League in October 2012, being replaced by summer signing Hugo Lloris.

By that time though, the American had set a Premier League record of 310 consecutive appearances, across his time with Blackburn, Villa and Spurs.

Friedel eventually left Tottenham at the end of the 2014/15 season, when he announced his retirement from playing, although things have not gone quite as well for him since then.

Brad Friedel endured managerial frustration

While he had still been playing, the goalkeeper had launched an academy in his native America in 2007.

However, it was forced to close for financial reasons in 2011, even causing Friedel to file for bankruptcy protection due to the debts it incurred.

Once he finished his playing career though, that did not mark the end to the American's involvement in football.

Initially, Friedel appeared as a pundit both on Match of the Day, and in Ireland on Setanta Sports, before he headed into coaching.

He was appointed as head coach of the USA Men's Under 19s team in January 2016, and was part of the coaching staff when their Under 20s side won the CONCACAF Gold Cup the following year.

Then, in November 2017, Friedel was named as the new head coach of MLS side New England Revolution.

However, it was a tough period for the former goalkeeper in charge of the club, as he was sacked in May 2019, having won 12 and lost 22 of his 47 games in charge.

His dismissal by New England came just a few months after he had been one of the inaugural inductees into Blackburn Rovers' own Hall of Fame.

Friedel then made his return to top-level football earlier this summer, when the former Galatasaray man was named advisor to the board of directors at Besiktas, on a deal until the summer of 2026.

Exactly how he fares in that role remains to be seen, although his side currently sit fourth in the Turkish top-flight with ten points from four games.

One thing that will not be disputed though, is that thanks to his displays for Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham, Brad Friedel will always be popular among fans of the Premier League.