Could Jurgen Klopp be the next USMNT head coach?

The United States’ group stage exit from the 2024 Copa América has sent alarm bells ringing within US Soccer. Two years out from a home World Cup, failure to emerge from a group of Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay leaves USMNT needing to make improvements fast, with head coach Gregg Berhalter the most immediate candidate for change.

While Berhalter is still currently in the role, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has confirmed that it is “conducting a comprehensive review of our performance in Copa América and how best to improve the team and results”. As talk of a new head coach swirls, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has emerged as the highest-profile name linked with the role. A number of former US players have already urged Klopp to take charge and the German coach has left US supporters dreaming after a July 4 post on Instagram.

Klopp wrote: “It’s the perfect day to think about my trips with @liverpoolfc to the States 🇺🇸 We’ve had a great time & the US fans are electric! Happy 4th of July”

Is this an attempt by Klopp to test the waters with US fans or simply a coincidence? When he announced his decision to leave Liverpool Klopp insisted that he was tired and required a year away from the game to refuel. However international soccer does not follow the relentless, year-round schedule of the European club game and Klopp could be tempted by his first-ever national team role.

What did Tim Howard and Alexis Lalas say about Jurgen Klopp?

Of course, the prospect of a Champions League and Premier League-winning coach leading USMNT into the World Cup is a tempting one for fans and many are already taking to social media to call on Klopp to consider the move. But beyond the supporters, a number of well-known US internationals have echoed the calls to Klopp. Tim Howard and Alexi Lalas are among those who believe that the German could be the man to replace Berhalter.

“Someone like Jurgen Klopp is out there,” Alexis Lalas wrote, when contemplating the identity of the next USMNT boss. “I know people scoff at the idea of someone with his pedigree and background would ever consider doing this. But until you have the conversation, you don’t know.”

Former Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard went further, insisting that he could tempt Klopp to the States: “I know Klopp has only been retired a few weeks and I know he wants a break. But if we sat around his villa in Spain, I think I could lure him over here.”

“The money is certainly there. So my pitch would be simple: he has a young group of players who can play progressive, front-foot soccer - exactly like his Liverpool teams. And in two years’ time he can go to the biggest World Cup in history,” Howard added.