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The USMNT is in turmoil ahead of a home World Cup - after Jurgen Klopp said no, here's why US Soccer must go for Mauricio Pochettino or Gareth Southgate... there's no turning back
The clock is ticking. We are 24 months out from a home World Cup and the USMNT is in a dire state. Gregg Berhalter has been fired and now the bosses at US Soccer must find a replacement to lead the team into 2026. The stakes could not be higher.
They only get one crack at this: there is no turning back, no re-evaluating in six months’ time. This is it: they have a short window. They must hit it as hard as possible. And they must get it right.
That means no dollar is too much. No stone is left unturned. No settling for your third- or fourth-choice coach.
For me, Jurgen Klopp remains the most enticing candidate in the world. He has the name, he has the experience and he is free. For a moment, it seemed the stars were aligning. But it was always going to be an uphill task.
So the bad news is that Klopp turned down the role. The good news is that US Soccer tried. It is a signal of their intent. There are in a tight spot - everyone knows they need a manager, everyone knows they need to do well at the next World Cup. And everyone knows they have the money. That puts you behind the eight ball.
Jurgen Klopp has reportedly turned down the chance to become manager of the USA
DailyMail.com columnist Tim Howard
So maybe Klopp is being clever. Or maybe no really does mean no. Thankfully, there are other world class managers who are available and who would be a good fit.
I’ve always loved Mauricio Pochettino. His teams have a real identity and attacking flair. He would suit this USMNT, which is set up for success – young, dynamic and full of skill.
Gareth Southgate might be available after this weekend, too. He understands the demands of working under the spotlight that will follow the next USA manager into this World Cup.
Other names have been mentioned – including Steve Cherundolo and Wilfried Nancy of MLS.
The key is appointing somebody tried and tested, somebody with the ability to organize a team quickly. Because the USMNT’s next game is against Jesse Marsch’s Canada.
Marsch was overlooked in favor of Berhalter and, after leading Canada to the Copa America semifinals, he would love nothing more than to beat the United States.
The players better be ready for that. Yes, Gregg paid the price for recent results. But so much of this failure was down to the squad. They are just fortunate that it’s always easier to replace one manager than 22 players.
Gregg Berhalter was fired following the USMNT's disappointing results at Copa America
Former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is among those who have been linked with the role
They can’t hide anymore. Gregg did a lot of good work changing the USMNT in terms of mindset. He put it into the minds of young American players that we can be progressive, we can go toe-to-toe with some of the best teams in the world.
He put this team in prime position to get results. But they never arrived. This golden generation has not had those signature wins that allow players to think: we might be the underdog, but we can punch above our weight.
That will require another shift in mentality. Gregg did a great job of beginning that process - showing the USMNT that they can play a different way. Now these players must take the next step.
Southgate has shown it can be done. He has changed the culture around playing for England. I lived through the era of division for 13 years, playing alongside teammates – at Manchester United and Everton – who would go on international duty and sit on different tables to Liverpool players.
I thought it would be impossible to break that cycle. But Southgate has done a phenomenal job. He has created an environment that allows players to perform under pressure.
Gareth Southgate has led England to a second successive European Championship final
Early on in his reign, Southgate took his England squad to a boot camp with the Royal Marines. When I played for the USMNT, we visited the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
We met wounded soldiers who represented our country on the front lines. Seeing what true service meant was humbling. It made you realize that we represent our country too. So wear the flag proudly.
Those off-field experiences can help. They build chemistry between the group. But what really matters is having trust and accountability among the players. That's what's this squad needs.
We had it in bundles, both when I was young, coming through the USMNT ranks, and when I was a senior player.
But it wasn’t built on long days out. What made the difference was six, seven, eight guys sitting around until 4am in each other's rooms. Talking about the right way to go about the game or whatever internal issues we had.
Howard helped United States teams of the past punch above their weight at the World Cup
We didn't have to be prodded or brought into a team meeting by the manager. It happened off our own backs. And that why I say this falls on the players.
All team building exercises do is give you a chance to build trust, which then allows you to go on the field and really dig in. Or really give it to a teammate and hold people accountable.
We hear a lot about how this current team gets on. That sounds great. But are you afraid of each other? Do you respect each other enough to challenge each other? Getting along is awesome.
But it doesn’t mean there are leaders within the group. Sometimes it's okay not to like each other. Sometimes you perform better, actually.
The manager can try everything off the pitch to bind you together. But then it comes down to the players. To have both respect and tough conversations. The clock is ticking.