The United States men’s national soccer team will enter a new era this year on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and there seems to be a wide search for the next manager.
Gregg Berhalter was fired after the USMNT’s disaster run in the 2024 Copa América where it failed to make it out of the group stage. The United States Soccer Federation is expected to hire his replacement as soon as this fall so that the program has the time it needs to rebuild and prepare for the World Cup on home soil.
The federation reportedly contacted former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who declined. Klopp opted to remain retired and spend time away from the sport.
Michele Giannone of TUDN on Thursday reported Steve Cherundolo, Wilfried Nancy and Patrick Vieira are among the top contenders to be the next USMNT manager. The U.S. soccer and MLS sideline reporter added Vieira was in negotiations with USSF following his dismissal from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.
Cherundolo and Nancy are among the best coaches in MLS leading LAFC and Columbus Crew, respectively, to the top half of the standings. However, it seems Vieira is the more likely choice because FOX Sports’ Doug McIntyre reported Thursday that U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker is interested in the “most accomplished international manager possible.”
This marks a change against conventional wisdom since no foreign coach has ever won the men’s or women’s World Cup for their respective nation. It’s why Berhalter was hired after Jürgen Klinsmann failed in his second cycle as USMNT coach and why Jesse Marsch was a finalist before Berhalter was rehired last year.
Vieira was solid in his first managerial job with New York City FC (2016-2018). But he struggled to find his footing in his two stints in Ligue 1 with Nice and Strasbourg. And his run with Crystal Palace was not well revered.
McIntyre’s report doesn’t mean Vieira is the man for the job for U.S. Soccer. Hervé Renard has been a popular name floated around due to his extensive international coaching experience having won two Africa Cup of Nations and three CAF Coach of the Year awards. Renard is managing the French women’s team in the Olympics, and he’ll be a name to watch if Les Bleues has a successful run in the Summer Games in Paris.
Mauricio Pochettino also has been a floated contender. The 52-year-old doesn’t have experience at the international level, but he’s coached top-flight clubs like Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea to varying degrees of success.
There likely will be many other names floated for a job that will come with heavy expectations following years of lackluster results.
