Bruce Arena will not be retained as coach of the US national soccer team, it was announced on Saturday.

The U.S. were knocked out in the first round of the World Cup finals in Germany last month, losing to the Czech Republic and Ghana and drawing with eventual winners Italy.

The 54-year-old Arena was the most successful national coach in US soccer history, winning 71 of his 130 matches in charge during an eight-year spell.

"Bruce Arena's success on the field for the United States is unprecedented," said US Soccer President Sunil Gulati. "But it is more than just the results he has achieved on the field.

"Simply said, no one has done more to lift the stature and respect of our men's team worldwide.

"We appreciate Bruce's years of service to US Soccer, and as we move forward we will be looking for someone to build on the success he has established for our men's program and our organisation."

The search for a successor to Arena will begin immediately, said Gulati.

"I am proud of how far the organisation has come over the last eight years, and I am extremely optimistic about the future of the sport in our country," Arena said in a statement.

"As for me, I am planning to take some time off to weigh my future opportunities."

The US national squad had a disappointing 2006 World Cup, although they did manage a 1-1 draw with Italy despite ending the match with nine men.

Arena's best moment as US coach came during the 2002 World Cup finals when they reached the quarterfinals.