Legendary U.S. soccer coach Bruce Arena puts name in hat for D.C. United head coaching vacancy after controversial New England Revolution exit in August

Arena has expressed his interest in the job, The Athletic reports, but the MLS side have their attention on hiring a new general manager before they recruit a new head coach.

United have been without a permanent coach since Wayne Rooney's exit following their failure to reach the MLS playoffs. They have been lacking a general manager since Lucy Rushton was fired in October last year.

Arena has been out of the game since he left New England Revolution in acrimonious circumstances. He was placed on administrative leave in August following "allegations of workplace misconduct", the club said. He was accused of making "insensitive and inappropriate" remarks and, after an investigation, opted to resign in September.

Arena had been acting as both the club's head coach and sporting director and his departure caused problems among the senior team, as the players refused to train days later.

The 72-year-old, who managed USMNT in two separate spells as well as New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy, has a history with the Washington club. He was at the helm of the team for the inaugural MLS 1996 season and guided them to the MLS Cup two years in a row, the U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, among other trophies.

Arena will have to bide his time before he can expect to take over as head coach at United as their search for a GM takes precedent.