When U.S. Soccer rehired Gregg Berhalter to coach the U.S. men’s national team after an expectation-meeting World Cup and scandal-ridden aftermath, the decision was an obvious mistake. That ill-advised move was only exacerbated when the USMNT got eliminated in the group stage of the Copa America on home soil this week.
Now, even one of the best players in USMNT history is calling for a change. In fact, he already has a replacement in mind.
In a guest column for the Daily Mail, former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard said that he would personally fly to Spain to recruit now-former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp to take over for Berhalter and urged USSF technical director Matt Crocker to do the same.
If I was in charge of US Soccer, I would fly to Spain and pay Jurgen Klopp a visit. I believe I could convince him to take the USMNT job.
Gregg Berhalter will get the blame for this Copa America but much of the fault lies with the players.https://t.co/o7kEDkSgEW
— Tim Howard (@TimHowardGK) July 3, 2024
Klopp, 57, retired from coaching following this past Premier League season. He’s had success at virtually every stop in his managing career — which included Liverpool’s first Premier League title (the club had 19 top-division titles that preceded the Premier League).
According to Howard, he thinks the opportunity to coach a talented USMNT squad in a home World Cup would be intriguing to Klopp. It is far less demanding on a day-to-day basis to coach internationally than at a club because you’re only working with players during FIFA windows and the club offseason. Klopp has already coached USMNT captain Christian Pulisic at Borussia Dortmund and has spoken highly of his talent.
Still, Klopp would be a pipe dream for U.S. Soccer. For one, Berhalter — as of now — is still the USMNT head coach. This is the same federation that refused to even interview established international coaches like Marcelo Bielsa, Juan Carlos Osorio or Tata Martino in the past. There’s no reason to think the USSF would suddenly take an aggressive approach in convincing arguably a top 3 coach in the world to come aboard.
And let’s say that U.S. Soccer managed to get Klopp’s attention, money will likely end up being a huge factor here. Klopp made upwards of $20 million per season with Liverpool. Berhalter makes makes about $2.3 million annually. And there are conflicting reports as to whether USWNT head coach Emma Hayes’ salary would be tied to a potential new USMNT coach. Currently, Hayes and Berhalter take in equal salaries.
For anyone wondering: No, U.S. Soccer wouldn’t have to increase the salary of #USWNT coach Emma Hayes to match what any new #USMNT coach (if Gregg Berhalter isn’t retained) might make if it’s more than Hayes currently earns. They aren’t linked at all.
— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) July 2, 2024
We’ll have to see if U.S. Soccer takes Howard’s advice here as it would be the right move. It just won’t be easy — or even realistic.
