SOCCER
Marcelo Bielsa and Jose Mourinho, options for the USMNT manager role
The United States will start a new project looking towards the 2026 World Cup; Marcelo Bielsa could be prime candidate.
The search for a new coach in the United States continues, and the Stars and Stripes are still waiting for a world-class leader at the top. It has been revealed that Jose Mourinho and Marcelo Bielsa are some of the options on the table, according to Bleacher Report.
The USA got off to a rocky start to 2023. Brian McBride, general manager of the USA men’s team, and Earnie Stewart, USA sports director, left their posts after the Gregg Berhalter scandal, about which you can read more here.
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Bielsa is favoured by the USMNT hierarchy
Bielsa was also considered an option for the Mexican team, although his name began to lose weight with ‘El Tri’ ever since Miguel Herrera and Guillermo Almada emerged as the main options for the role.
Bleacher Report assured that Bielsa is liked by the United States Federation due to his style of play, in which possession of the ball stands out, although there has still been no response from the Argentine coach.
Bielsa’s last adventure in football was with Leeds United, a club that decided to sack him after the board judged their position in the league too close in relegation. American manager Jesse Marsch arrived to straighten the course and ultimately saved the club, despite ongoing concerns with fans regarding his playing style.
Berhalter in limbo
Meanwhile, Berhalter’s time with the United States is faltering. The departure of Stewart and McBride was the first indication that Bielsa might end up at the North American national team.
Berhalter’s contract ended on December 31, 2022, and although everything indicated that he was going to renew with the US team, his scandal of physical violence against his wife, Rosalind Berhalter, has caused them to reconsider the situation. Anthony Hudson has since taken over the role.
