The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) is once again in the market for a new head coach following the termination of Gregg Berhalter’s contract. The decision came in the wake of a disappointing Copa America campaign, which proved to be the final straw for Berhalter’s spell at the helm.
Potential Candidates: From Klopp to Pochettino
As U.S. Soccer looks to the future, a host of high-profile names have been mentioned as potential candidates for the role. Among these are Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, both of whom have impressive track records in European club football. Taylor Twellman, a former USMNT star, has been vocal about the need for U.S. Soccer to explore every possible avenue in their search for the right candidate.
WHAT TWELLMAN SAID
Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Twellman emphasized the importance of thoroughness in the search process:
“I would say ‘Klopp, are you 100 per cent no? Because if it’s 95 per cent and you want to come in January 2025, then I can make that work’. If it’s no, it’s no. Call Jose Mourinho. What is it? What do you want to do? Jose Mourinho in Turkey has an out clause January 1, 2025. I’m talking to everybody. I’ve taken some criticism from U.S. soccer fans on this but I still believe, talk to 100 people if you need to. But you can’t waste 14 months like you did after the ’22 World Cup to then rehire Greg Berhalter.”
Twellman underscored the necessity of casting a wide net, pointing to the lengthy search process after the 2022 World Cup as a cautionary tale.
Patrick Vieira: A Contender with Experience
Twellman also highlighted an intriguing candidate with both playing and coaching pedigree: Patrick Vieira. The Arsenal legend and World Cup winner has experience in MLS and a reputation for demanding excellence:
“There’s one name that I’ve said from the beginning that has a real interest in this, and that’s Patrick Vieira. He won a World Cup as a player. He loves the American player. But he also walks into that room and every single player’s tail is going to be between their legs because he doesn’t hold back on anyone. If that’s the guy I’ve got to go get, go get it. But I’m talking to everybody in 48 hours!”
A Bold Suggestion: Bill Belichick
In a lighter moment, Twellman joked about the possibility of bringing in no-nonsense former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick as an interim coach:
“They should bring in, as an interim coach, Bill Belichick – have him throw a head set on just to p*ss off everybody else in the international world!”
As U.S. Soccer embarks on its search for a new head coach, the emphasis is on thoroughness and leaving no stone unturned. Whether it’s a seasoned soccer tactician like Klopp, a fiery motivator like Mourinho, or a respected figure like Vieira, the goal is clear: to find the right leader to guide the USMNT to future success. The process may involve talking to many candidates and even considering unconventional options, but the focus remains on making the best possible choice for the team’s future.