United States Soccer has started reaching out to contenders to replace recently sacked manager Gregg Berhalter, including an offer to former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, although the German is unlikely to pursue further discussions, according to sources.
Klopp, 57, has often said that he intends to take a 12-month break from managing after almost nine years with Liverpool. Klopp may not manage again, and those issues do not even begin to address his expected high financial demands, which would be well into the eight figures.
The United States is looking for a new manager after formally removing Berhalter from his responsibilities on Wednesday after a dismal performance in the 2024 Copa América when the USMNT failed to move beyond the group stage.
U.S. Soccer sports director Matt Crocker told reporters on Wednesday that he plans to begin the search “right away” and aims to have a new manager in place by the September international window.
“I just want to get the best coach possible that can help the team win and whether they’re from the U.S. or elsewhere, they’ve got to fit the profile, which is a serial winning coach, somebody that can continue to develop this potential group of players,” Crocker said.
While Crocker hopes to expedite the process, he is preparing backup plans to hire an interim coach if needed.
“I also understand some of the challenges why that might not happen by September,” according to him. “And if it doesn’t happen in my head, I know what my contingency plan would be to see through the September window with a level of consistency to make sure that there’s no huge disruption and change.”
