It is clear the U.S. males’s nationwide staff wants a brand new path. Because the 2022 World Cup, when the USMNT exited within the spherical of 16 towards a superior Netherlands aspect, there was little to no proof of development. In actual fact, it seems just like the USMNT has been regressing over the previous two years.
Current subpar outcomes have been largely papered over, and everybody continued to consider the expertise stage of this U.S. aspect alone is sufficient. A second-leg loss to Trinidad & Tobago within the Concacaf Nations League did not matter as a result of the USMNT superior on mixture anyway. A horrible efficiency towards Jamaica within the Nations League ended with the People being bailed out by a last-minute Jamaica personal aim. The 5-1 shellacking by Colombia was “solely” a pre-Copa America pleasant.
However after the USMNT obtained knocked out within the group stage of the Copa America following losses to Panama and Uruguay — plus a not-big-enough win over lowly Bolívia — these earlier poor performances appear like ignored warning indicators.
Every time the dialogue of transferring on from coach Gregg Berhalter has come up, it has inevitably turned to: “Nicely, who’s going to interchange him?” The prevailing narrative has been that there are no coaches higher than Berhalter whom the U.S. Soccer Federation can attempt to rent.
With that in thoughts, ESPN reporters/analysts Jeff Carlisle, Luis Miguel Echegaray, Cesar Hernandez, Lizzy Becherano, Tim Vickery, Caitlin Murray and Invoice Connelly provide up 16 candidates U.S. Soccer ought to think about as attainable replacements for Berhalter. With a World Cup on U.S. soil coming shortly in 2026, U.S. Soccer has little time to spare.
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp, 57, has nearly every little thing U.S. Soccer might want for in a supervisor. He has been profitable all over the place he has gone, he speaks good English and he’s as charismatic as they arrive. He appears exactly the form of man who will get followers — each die-hards and people new to the sport — galvanized concerning the World Cup.
He is additionally out there after leaving Liverpool on the finish of this previous season, having acknowledged he not had the requisite power wanted to struggle for trophies on the highest stage of the sport. However a nationwide staff gig is likely to be an honest match for him. There would not be the each day calls for {that a} membership job would have, and the USMNT is at the moment at a low ebb, leaving loads of upside with what continues to be considered as a gifted roster.
Now, to be clear, hiring Klopp continues to be the stuff of fantasy, even when former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, in a column for The Every day Mail, stated he’d be keen to “personally fly to Spain” with a purpose to persuade Klopp to take the job. Klopp’s current Instagram submit wishing People a contented Fourth of July — which despatched USMNT followers right into a tizzy — in all probability did not imply something.
Even when Klopp had been , his hiring would nearly actually require the U.S. Soccer to again up the Brinks truck and unload a pile of money bigger than the federation has ever paid a supervisor. Is that attainable? One supply with data of U.S. Soccer’s pondering stated it’s, and likened it to varsity sports activities within the U.S., the place the primary entity pays a head coach a base wage and sponsors make up the remainder.
However pondering of one thing in concept and really executing a plan are two various things, and the phrase on the road is that Klopp would nonetheless value far more than U.S. Soccer is keen to spend. In case you’re U.S. Soccer normal supervisor Matt Crocker, yeah, go forward and make the decision, to make sure. Simply do not get your hopes up. — Jeff Carlisle
David Wagner
If you cannot get Klopp, why not go for one in every of his proteges? Wagner and Klopp had been teammates when the 2 had been at Mainz, and Wagner joined Klopp’s employees when the latter joined Borussia Dortmund.
Wagner’s skilled managerial expertise has been full of highs and lows. He took Huddersfield City into the English Premier League and stored them up for a season, however he could not maintain it. There was the brutal spell with Schalke, when the membership set data for futility, however that appeared principally due to the membership’s higher hierarchy. He was principally not too long ago with Norwich Metropolis however was fired after dropping within the promotion playoffs to Leeds United.
Extra critically, Wagner, 52, has a connection to the USMNT, having made eight appearances for the squad within the Nineties as one of many staff’s authentic twin nationals. He would not be the splashiest rent, however he has loads of expertise, and his most well-liked high-tempo fashion of play would appear to be a match for the USMNT. — Carlisle
Steve Cherundolo
Of the home candidates, Cherundolo boasts one of many stronger résumés. He spent his complete taking part in profession in Germany with Hannover 96, turning into the “Mayor of Hannover” after making over 400 appearances for the membership. He was an completely reliable proper again for the U.S. nationwide staff, taking part in in two World Cups.
He then underwent a prolonged apprenticeship, spending years teaching within the youth ranks earlier than teaching the Las Vegas Lights of the USL Championship earlier than taking up LAFC in 2022. Cherundolo was an instantaneous hit, main LAFC to a Supporters’ Protect and MLS Cup double in 2022. The next season was more durable, with LAFC dropping three finals, however Cherundolo has LAFC again among the many league’s elite this 12 months.
The one draw back of 45-year-old Cherundolo is he is by no means been a nationwide staff supervisor, and his résumé is not as diverse as others on this record, so he’d be studying on the job to a level. — Carlisle
Wilfried Nancy
If the U.S. desires to stay inside the parameters of hiring somebody who understands the home recreation and the Concacaf area, then Wilfried Nancy, 47, is an apparent selection. He received MLS Cup (the primary Black coach to take action) in his first season as Columbus Crew coach, and he is ready to create an thrilling kind of soccer that thrives on zero excuses blended with a disciplined, killer-instinct mentality.
However his rapid and historic success with the Crew just isn’t why I believe he could be a superb match. It is the identification that he has instilled with the staff. Nancy’s energy is that he makes his gamers turn out to be accustomed to the uncomfortable. As he stated final 12 months: “That is one thing that we do on a regular basis on the pitch: repetition, with clear conditions, and in addition a construction, an outlined construction. However inside the construction, loads of creativity inside that.”
If the USMNT really desires to beat the easiest, the largest precedence is to get snug with the uncomfortable. If you wish to follow somebody who is aware of how to do this in addition to is aware of full nicely what it takes to develop North American expertise, then that is Nancy. — Luis Miguel Echegaray
Jim Curtin
If Berhalter was in a position to make the leap from MLS to the USMNT, then why not Jim Curtin?
The Philadelphia Union coach has turn out to be one of many mainstays of the league and has a knack for making his squads nicely balanced and higher than the sum of their components. It is no surprise that of the previous 4 winners of the league’s Coach of the Yr Award, Curtin has earned the honors twice.
And by the way in which, not like Berhalter’s time on the MLS sideline, 45-year-old Curtin has a Supporters’ Protect in hand — a way more tough trophy to win than MLS Cup. (Beneath Curtain, Philly reached the ultimate of MLS Cup in 2022.) On the event stage, one additionally should not overlook Curtin’s three runs into the U.S. Open Cup finals.
All that stated, the timing could be a bit awkward when you think about simply how poor Philadelphia have been within the present MLS season. The Union have not received since Might and are taking part in far under expectations. The blame should not simply be targeted on Curtin, however it’s undoubtedly not a superb look both method. — Cesar Hernandez
Hugo Perez
Perez has one of many extra intriguing backgrounds amongst U.S. coaches. Born within the Salvadoran metropolis of Morazán, he spent his youth in each nations earlier than a snub from El Salvador noticed him solid his worldwide lot with the U.S., the place he went on to make 73 appearances.
His background as a coach isn’t any much less attention-grabbing. Perez, 60, managed the U.S. U15 nationwide staff from 2012-14, a bunch that included Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. He confused taking part in the ball on the bottom, one thing that Pulisic has credited for his technical improvement.
Perez did some scouting as nicely, however a falling out with U.S. Soccer noticed him depart with some harm emotions. He later went on to handle El Salvador and the Cuscatlecos punched above their weight for some time, attending to the ultimate spherical of qualifying in the course of the 2022 cycle earlier than he was fired in 2023.
His lack of membership expertise makes for a gap in his résumé, however his worldwide expertise and ties to the U.S. are massive pluses. — Carlisle
Gomez: USMNT have regressed underneath Gregg Berhalter
Herculez Gomez believes the USMNT have to “develop up” after their elimination from the Copa América.
Javier Aguirre
Premier League coaches would possibly appeal to all the eye, with many dreaming of Klopp or Pep Guardiola. However the USMNT wants a coach who possesses the stability of worldwide expertise and data of the intricacy of Concacaf. Former Mexican nationwide staff coach Javier Aguirre won’t ever be the apparent selection, however his resume insists he ought to be thought of.
Aguirre, 65, simply led the Spanish staff to the Copa del Rey closing, mustering the unimpressive roster to compete towards Spain’s greatest to succeed in the final recreation of the event. He saved the staff from relegation on three events, proving the important thing to success in soccer would not all the time need to dwell and die with particular person expertise. Possibly he can discover a method for the USMNT assault and backline to lastly work in good unison.
He beforehand coached Atletico Madrid, Espanyol and Osasuna, the place he was named coach of the 12 months in 2006 by UEFA for his efforts. Aguirre’s time in LaLiga obligated him to organize to face the likes Actual Madrid and FC Barcelona at their peak.
As a participant and coach for the Mexican nationwide staff, Aguirre understands Concacaf. But it surely was his expertise in taking up the Mexican challenge twice simply months forward of the World Cup — and reaching the knockout stage on each events in 2002 and 2010 — which will serve U.S. Soccer greatest.
With two years left till america hosts the 2026 version, Aguirre is likely to be one of many few who is aware of the right way to take over and succeed. And with Mexican Soccer Federation at the moment eyeing Aguirre, the U.S. Soccer could get to benefit from the luxurious of stealing a candidate from a direct rival. — Lizzy Becherano
Matias Almeyda
Whether or not or not it’s due to his monitor file of success in Mexico, Greece and South America, or his capacity to unify groups and thrive in event eventualities, there’s quite a bit to love about Matias Almeyda. The 50-year-old is at the moment teaching AEK Athens with a contract renewed by means of 2028, however the draw of main the U.S. forward of a house World Cup ought to be sufficient to lure him away.
His profile in North America grew by means of a number of trophies with powerhouse Chivas from 2015 to 2018, netting him teaching awards in Liga MX and Concacaf. It wasn’t too way back when numerous followers pushed for him to guide Mexico’s nationwide staff, which by no means got here to go.
He is a motivator, he has titles underneath his belt, and he already has expertise in American soccer, too — which, to be truthful, did not go as deliberate as his San Jose Earthquakes aspect twice missed playoffs. That is the issue for the extremely disciplined chief: He has been recognized to include samurai philosophies, like in his time at MLS.
However there is a important distinction between the roster depth Almeyda had with the Earthquakes versus what we was up towards. Nonetheless, many within the American soccer world (and maybe these in cost at U.S. Soccer as nicely) will not overlook the quite a few chaotic matches he discovered himself in with San Jose. — Hernandez
Marcelo Gallardo
Gallardo, 48, received nearly each South American trophy there’s to win as supervisor of River Plate, 14 titles in all, and twice claiming the Copa Libertadores, in addition to the Argentine Primera Division in 2021.
He’s one thing of a tactical chameleon, however with one overarching precept, “protagonismo,” which implies to take cost of the sport.
He is out there after an 18-month stint with Saudi Arabian aspect Al Ittihad. It appeared a curious touchdown spot given he was regarded as Europe-bound. He did the identical factor as a participant, touchdown with D.C. United for a quick spell late in his profession earlier than accidents lower his time brief.
Possibly one other sudden selection might see him land with the USMNT. Like Klopp, it could value U.S. soccer a ton of money. — Carlisle
Tab Ramos
U.S. Soccer is commonly criticized for being too insular and unwilling to usher in exterior hires, as an alternative biking by means of the identical group of individuals already inside the federation’s orbit. So hiring Tab Ramos, a journeyman inside U.S. Soccer, would not change any minds about that, however it could observe the playbook that the federation is most snug with.
Ramos himself has stated U.S. Soccer ought to rent a international supervisor. Final week he instructed Soccer America: “We simply want anyone to come back in for 18 months who is aware of the World Cup and may put together this staff the very best he can to provide this staff the very best shot at having an ideal World Cup. That is it. No learning-on-the-job particular person.”
Other than not being a international coach, his argument might apply to himself, too. He led the USMNT U20s to a few straight World Cup quarterfinals, the very best and most constant run in this system’s historical past. He has expertise teaching a number of the gamers on the senior staff proper now.
If there is a cause to not think about him, it is that, since leaving U.S. Soccer shortly after Berhalter was employed on the finish of 2018, his stints as head coach on the Houston Dynamo and the Hartford Athletic haven’t been roaring successes. He is now an assistant coach on the New England Revolution. However simply as some nice membership coaches cannot translate their greatest work to the worldwide recreation, the other could be true. Possibly the worldwide recreation is the place Ramos belongs. — Caitlin Murray
José Pékerman
Few managers are as skilled at worldwide stage because the Argentine. He managed Argentina on the 2006 World Cup, and his substitution of Juan Roman Riquelme within the quarterfinal defeat towards Germany stays a sore spot with the nation’s followers, however that staff was broadly praised for its fashion.
Pékerman went on to take the helm of Colombia for the 2014 and 2018 tournaments, the place on each events he led the Cafeteros to the knockout levels. Pékerman is unemployed after falling out with the Venezuela Soccer Federation in 2023.
Pékerman additionally led Argentina to the FIFA U-20 World Cup on three completely different events, exhibiting a capability to work with younger gamers. Provided that this younger technology of U.S. gamers has appeared to have plateaued in the intervening time, a smart head like 74-year-old Pékerman is likely to be what is required to get the group again on an upward trajectory. — Carlisle
Patrick Vieira
One other candidate who ticks a number of packing containers is Patrick Vieira. He has been a membership coach for over eight years, which means he is no neophyte on the subject of managing within the skilled recreation.
Two-and-a-half of these eight years had been spent in MLS with New York Metropolis FC. That familiarity with the U.S. system and its idiosyncrasies is a plus. He is additionally frolicked teaching in Manchester Metropolis’s academy, in addition to their reserve staff, giving him a window into participant improvement.
That stated, Vieira’s file at membership stage has seen endure his share of struggles, and final season led Strasbourg to a thirteenth place end in Ligue 1.
Would that be sufficient for U.S. Soccer? The federation did method Vieira a little bit over a 12 months in the past in the course of the course of by which Berhalter was rehired. He was within the job, however Vieira instructed ESPN again then that talks did not progress. Maybe he’ll get one other look this time. — Carlisle
Gomez: USMNT’s ‘golden technology’ underachieved underneath Berhalter
Herculez Gomez explains the dearth of success from america underneath Gregg Berhalter and why he would possibly keep in cost regardless of one other setback.
Hervé Renard
Hervé Renard would possibly appear to be a left-field selection as a result of his newest gig was with the French ladies’s nationwide staff, the place he steered them to a World Cup quarterfinal final 12 months. However previous to that, he is been a males’s soccer coach, maybe most memorably main the Saudi Arabia aspect that beat Lionel Messi’s Argentina within the 2022 World Cup. (Argentina went on to win the entire event.)
He has coached everywhere in the world, with a mixture of membership and worldwide expertise, together with main Zambia and Ivory Coast to wins on the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 and 2015, respectively. Maybe extra vital than his résumé, he has been lauded for his participant administration — one thing it looks as if the USMNT wants with its current string of gamers getting foolish purple playing cards out of anger. It additionally seems like U.S. Soccer desires to skew youthful for the USMNT supervisor, and at 55, Renard is on the stage of his profession the place he has loads of expertise however should not be out of contact along with his gamers, both.
It has felt that, ever since Jurgen Klinsmann’s mercurial time on the helm, U.S. Soccer has most well-liked an American coach, however the federation must prioritize a coach with a confirmed monitor file in worldwide soccer who understands the rhythm of huge tournaments. — Murray
Mauricio Pochettino
It’s onerous to consider a better option to step in as U.S. nationwide staff coach than Mauricio Pochettino. He ticks all of the packing containers, with the added benefit of being out there after parting methods with Chelsea in Might and, after a number of years of accumulating frustrations as a membership coach, he might nicely be open to the prospect of taking cost of a nationwide staff.
In his time within the Premier League, Pochettino has acquired the prerequisite data of working within the Anglo-Saxon world. Mixed along with his Argentine roots and his expertise working with high class gamers from everywhere in the world, Pochettino ought to be a really attention-grabbing candidate for a staff just like the U.S.
Private relations have typically been his sturdy level. The Copa America serves as a foretaste and as a warning of the pressures of taking part in at residence in a World Cup — an enormous pleasant bear-like determine, Pochettino would ease the stress on a younger staff. He has a superb monitor file with younger gamers — and this can be a youthful USA staff — and his front-footed tactical method is a pleasant match with the kind of soccer the aspect are able to taking part in.
Plus — all the time an asset at worldwide stage — he has expertise of event life as a participant. The USA might do a lot worse than appoint 52-year-old Pochettino — and it’s onerous to see how they might do a lot better. — Tim Vickery
Thomas Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel has by no means given any indication that he could be fascinated about a nationwide staff gig, a lot much less a gig within the States. However such a job would match him like a glove.
Taking up the USMNT would emphasize perhaps his single biggest energy: arising with a powerful tactical plan for a particular match or matchup. And it could mitigate what certain appears to have turn out to be his most irritating trait from a membership perspective: complaining incessantly about what his staff lacks and nagging his bosses to repair it.
You have got what you might have on the nationwide staff stage, and Tuchel could be pressured to construct ways to go well with the staff’s strengths and weaknesses. What’s to not like about that (other than the cash it could in all probability take to get his consideration)?
It is apparent why U.S. Soccer would need him — main groups to successful the UEFA Champions League, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 is simply the beginning. However as unlikely as this appears, it isn’t inconceivable to assume Tuchel, 50, might get on board with it, too. He’s out there after leaving Bayern Munich. — Invoice Connelly
Thomas Frank
Let’s be clear about one thing: The Premier League’s elite, like Klopp or Guardiola, just isn’t occurring. Overlook about it. However what if I instructed you that despite the fact that the very best managers within the recreation are out of attain, you may nonetheless get somebody who on the very least manages on the highest ranges of the sport and fits every little thing the USMNT desires to do on the pitch?
Presenting: Thomas Frank. Sure, I do know. He has a contract with Brentford till 2027 so it isn’t essentially the most practical state of affairs. However is it inconceivable? The federation must be bold and gamble as a result of they actually cannot afford to get it improper in 2026. Talking of which, seeing as they do not need to qualify for the World Cup, perhaps there’s a while to steer Brentford — a membership who’s all the time three steps forward — to think about one thing.
By way of ways, this can be a no-brainer. Frank, 50, simply adapts between 4-3-3 and 3-5-2, loves to make use of his wing backs each out vast and in central positions (Antonee Robinson would thrive right here), and prioritizes a powerful triangle within the center with energetic box-to-box midfielders. The likes of Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams would profit tremendously. — Echegaray