The list of candidates that could manage the USMNT
The United States men’s national team continues to analyze if Gregg Berhalter is the right man for the job following an early exit from the World Cup.
Gregg Berhalter’s contract with the United States men’s national team expires at the end of the year and US Soccer is analyzing if he is the right man for the job moving forward. The 49-year-old was appointed in 2018 and he’s had a successful stint by winning the 2021 Gold Cup and CONCACAF Nations League trophies by beating the Mexico national team twice.
Berhalter also led the United States to a third place finish in the World Cup qualifiers after failing to qualify for the 2014 tournament. The USMNT was the only side from CONCACAF to make it to the knockout stages, where they lost 3-1 to the Netherlands. Berhalter is taking some time to decide his next move because even though he is willing to continue in charge of the US for the next World Cup cycle, he would also like to work abroad in Europe’s top tier.
The list of candidates for the USMNT
According to several reports, the list of candidates is pretty impressive, but only a few of them are genuinely likely to take over the job. The Athletic reported that US Soccer would like Pep Guardiola to become the next head coach and prepare the team for when they co-host the World Cup in 2026, but he is under contract with Manchester City until 2025.
Guardiola is also being considered to take over the managerial job at Brazil following Tite’s exit after being eliminated from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Another real option that US Soccer is considering is Leeds United’s head coach Jesse Marsch. The American boss has done a great job as the successor to Marcelo Bielsa with the Whites and he avoided relegation last season.
Marsch has great knowledge of Major League Soccer and since 2019 he has been managing clubs in Europe’s top tier. Per report, the other names on the list are Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Martínez, Luis Enrique, Bielsa and Ricardo Gareca.
The reality is that the United States needs to make a decision sooner rather than later, with Berhalter’s contract expiring at the end of the month. The USMNT will return to action to play two friendlies in January and start preparing the team for the start of the 2026 World Cup. The United States will play against Serbia on January 25 at Banc of California stadium and three days later against Colombia at Dignity Health Sports Park.