U.S. Soccer's all-time leading scorer Landon Donovan says he'll be involved with the United States team longer than any coach, including Jurgen Klinsmann.
Speaking in an interview with Bleacher Report on Thursday, the three-time World Cup participant addressed his relationship with the current national team boss.
The two men have had an icy rapport since Donovan decided to take a four-month sabbatical from football in the midst of the national team's run-up to the 2014 World Cup, for which he was sensationally left off the roster by the German coach.
The pair have been linked ever since the summer snub. And while Donovan acknowledges questions about the incident won't cease, he takes solace in knowing it won't mark the end of his involvement with the U.S. program.
"Now I see sort of the big picture of it and I know I'm going to be around a lot longer in U.S. soccer than any one coach will be," Donovan said. "I can see the big picture and I'm happy to move past it, but it was obviously not an easy time in my life."
Donovan's place on the 2014 World Cup roster wasn't the only issue on which the two have disagreed, however.
Klinsmann has long been a dogged proponent of American players testing themselves in Europe's top leagues, where the world's best compete, and not in MLS. Donovan on Thursday said it's up to the individual.
"For me it's a case-by-case basis. So what's right for one isn't right for the other," he said.
"As a general statement I think it is better for kids growing up here to be involved in our system, in Major League Soccer. You're going to have more of an opportunity.
"So a kid who is signed by the LA Galaxy -- a guy like Gyasi Zardes who has played for the Galaxy, who grew up in our system and is playing for the national team now -- is going to be supported and pushed unlike they would be in Europe.
"In Europe they're one of 60 kids that age that are brought in from all over the world that they're hoping is the next star.
"Here in L.A., Gyasi was given every opportunity, he was pushed along in the right way, everyone had a vested interest in him doing well and he succeeded.
"So as a general statement I would say it doesn't mean it's right for everyone but I think in most cases it's still important to be here and develop here."