Five candidates to become head coach of the USMNT

The United States are preparing for change after sacking head coach Gregg Berhalter on Wednesday. 

A disastrous 2024 Copa America campaign saw the USA become the first-ever host nation to crash out in the group stage, following defeats to Panama and Uruguay. Change will now be made as The Stars and Stripes look to rebuild ahead of the World Cup, where the USA will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico.

Sporting Director Matt Crocker has said the USA will target a serial winner in their pursuit of success.

“Whether they’re from the U.S. or elsewhere, they’ve got to fit the profile, which is a serial winning coach,” Crocker said.

“Somebody that can continue to develop this potential group of players, somebody that’s got a huge interest and a passion for player development. It continues to still be a young group – the second-youngest group in Copa América – but also a group that now is sort of in the realms of having a number of experiences that we should be qualifying [for] and getting out of the group for sure.”

But who is in the frame? We’ve looked at five candidates to take charge of the USMNT.

Jurgen Klopp

Initial contacts have been made with Jurgen Klopp as the USMNT team looks to make a statement signing. Klopp is among the elite coaches in the game and is available after leaving Liverpool in the summer, following almost a decade of decorated success.

Klopp has won league titles in Germany and England, has lifted the Champions League, and possesses a profile and personality that would almost instantly lift the sport Stateside. However, his salary demands would be significant. The German has expressed an intention to take a break from football, after admitting he was ‘running out of energy’ after nine seasons in the Premier League. That said, the removal of club football’s day-to-day demands could appeal.

Steve Cherundolo

Steve Cherundolo appears a realistic avenue for the USA. The 45-year-old has impressed since moving into senior management with Los Angeles FC, who he led to the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield in 2022. He became just the third coach to win the Supporters’ Shield in his first season and broke the record for most wins as a first-year head coach in MLS.

Cherundolo had a respected playing career in Europe with 423 appearances for Hannover 96, in addition to winning 87 caps for the USA and representing the nation at three World Cups. He may feel the role is too soon in a comparatively fledgling coaching career, though the opportunity to coach in a home World Cup does not come around often.

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry knows US football well having played and coached in Major League Soccer. The Frenchman starred for New York Red Bulls during the latter stages of an illustrious playing career, before returning to the division during a short spell in charge of Montreal Impact.

Scepticism remains around the 46-year-old’s coaching credentials after a disastrous spell in charge at AS Monaco but Henry is a hugely respected figure in football and would command instant respect in the dressing room. His current post will see Henry take charge of France’s u-23 side at this summer’s Olympic football tournament in Paris before his attention could return to senior management.

Patrick Vieira

Henry’s ex-Arsenal and France teammate, Vieira also understands the landscape of football in the United States after coaching New York City FC. Since then, he spent two seasons in France with Nice and helped overhaul an ageing Crystal Palace squad in the Premier League.

A real presence, the World Cup winner took charge of Strasbourg last summer and endured a challenging season as the French side finished 13th in Ligue 1.

Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate’s full focus will be on success this weekend as England face Spain in the final of Euro 2024. Regardless of the outcome, it is expected to be Southgate’s last tournament in charge of the Three Lions after eight years at the helm.

The 53-year-old has been England’s most successful head coach since Alf Ramsey, leading the side to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and consecutive European Championship finals.

He will be desperate to end the nation’s 58-year wait for silverware on Sunday and win over the sections of the ever-demanding English fanbase that have scrutinised his tactics and record.

Southgate has proven he can thrive in tournament football and the USMNT job would bring far less media pressure than he has endured with England.

Read – Six times football clubs activated buy-back clauses

See more – The England XI that thrashed the Netherlands at Euro ’96

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