KLOPP TO THE USA?

 David Beckham 2007. Lionel Messi 2023. Jurgen Klopp 2025?

 

The United States Soccer Federation have an opportunity to develop the beautiful game in the country even further than the mass media MLS coups of golden balls or the goat could.

 

Gregg Berhalter’s days look to be numbered as head coach of the USMNT. Chants of “Fire Gregg!” rang around GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium last week as Uruguay dumped the USA out of their home Copa America at the group stage.

 

The unexpected exit is likely the final straw, and according to FOX Sports a decision on Berhalter’s future will be announced at some point this mid-week.

 

It didn’t take long for soccer supporters to flock to social media and voice their opinions on who they want to see in the dugout when the USA hosts the largest World Cup ever two summers from now.

 

In typical American fashion they weren’t shy in name dropping one of world football’s A-listers. Jurgen Klopp.

 

The Liverpool legend hung up his famous cap back in May, at least for the foreseeable future, citing exhaustion as his motive for stepping back from his adoring Anfield faithful.

 

With no immediate move on the horizon for Klopp it’s not an absurd scenario that the Champions League winning coach winds up stateside for a couple of years at least.

 

In a Q&A with The Athletic earlier this year the 57-year-old admitted he would only consider two roles in international football. For his country of birth or the USMNT. 

 

While there’s been whispers of a Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund picking up the phone, Klopp himself dropped a subtle hint at his next chapter: “I don’t see myself continuing at the same pace as before.”

 

2014 World Cup hero Tim Howard quickly chimed in on the situation. The ex-Everton shot stopper heightened the hype by insisting he might be able to sell the USMNT position to his Merseyside rival.

 

Just three days after the defeat to Uruguay, and with rumours trending, it was Klopp himself who added fuel to the fire. A teasing Instagram post on July 4 reminiscing of pre-season trips in the U.S. and thanking stateside supporters sent fans into an Independence Day frenzy.

 

Even as a free agent Klopp understandably wouldn’t come cheap. Former USMNT star and YouTube content creator Jimmy Conrad revealed on the Call It What You Want podcast that Klopp’s representatives are said to be seeking $10 million per year to lure the German across the pond. 

 

But ESPN’s Herculez Gomez is adamant that money shouldn’t be an issue to secure the services of the Borussia Dortmund legend. He took to X to share: “I don’t want to hear about the US Soccer Fed not having the funds to do so. It netted over $45M last time they hosted a Copa America (2016). You’re two years out from a pivotal moment, cannot afford another failure on home soil.”

 

Berhalter’s base salary of $1.35million was the 12^th highest at the 2022 World Cup. Relieving him of his duties would cost the USMNT a pretty penny in itself, with his current contract running through to the 2026 World Cup.

 

But with the 48-team World Cup (the largest edition ever) set to be played primarily in the USA, and the nation’s footballing potential and progress under the microscope, the U.S. Soccer Federation might be tempted to go all in for summer 2026.

 

Former Crystal Palace defender Berhalter (50) was re-hired last summer after his contract expired in December 2022. Following two interim managers in six months the USMNT opted for the safe hire and brought the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup winner back into the national setup.

 

Berhalter’s exploits in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and a renewed sense of domination in CONCACAF as the driving force in North American soccer, had fans on the New Jerseyan’s side.

 

However, Berhalter’s six-month hiatus gave supporters food for thought. The results did not favour his return.

 

Against ‘top opposition’ Berhalter’s record is damning. In 24 games against sides ranked in FIFA’s top 30 the U.S. boss has recorded just six wins, with four coming against rivals Mexico, one against Ecuador in a friendly and the other against 24^th ranked Iran at the 2022 World Cup.

 

The U.S. hope to break into the world’s elite by the time their home world cup gets underway. Berhalter’s uninspiring tactics at Copa America and abysmal record against the world’s top sides don’t look to be driving the USMNT in the direction they’d hoped.

 

Berhalter did lead the U.S. to a third consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title (two under his guidance), but an unconvincing defeat at Trinidad & Tobago in the competition and friendly losses to Slovenia and Colombia only spread apprehension around his position.

 

This band of brothers, many developed across a smattering of Europe’s top teams, have been dubbed the golden generation of U.S. Soccer. Record breaking expectations had been set for this side. And break records they did.

 

With defeats to Panama (2-1) and Uruguay (1-0) Berhalter’s boys became the first Copa America host ever, in 48 editions and 108 years of the competition, to bow out at the group phase. It also marked the first time the U.S. had been eliminated from the groups in 20 tournaments on home soil.

 

USMNT Sporting Director Matt Crocker will lead the discussions on the future of the national team, which may or may not include shortlisting candidates. 

 

The U.S. resume hosting duties again next year with the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

 

If Klopp were a genuine target for Welshman Crocker, and the rest of the federation, they will have this continental competition on the horizon in under a year.

 

Since the introduction of the Nations League, and with more members of CONCACAF invited to join CONMEBOL in the Copa America, the Gold Cup has been used as an opportunity to flex fringe players, and more MLS grown talent on the national stage. Therefore, this won’t be a huge point of contention for a newcomer.

 

In fact, an 18-month contract might be a more realistic offer for Klopp. This would allow the Premier League winner to enjoy six more months of semi-retirement in sunny Spain before embarking on six months of preparation for the Gold Cup, followed by the biggest 12-months in U.S. Soccer history.