With Gregg Berhalter out as U.S. Men’s National Team head coach, the USMNT is officially looking for new leadership to build on its recent failures, including a quick exit from the Copa América after just three games.
USMNT Head Coach Candidates
Prime candidate Jesse Marsch ended up with Canada, where he would take the Northern nation to a semifinal in the same Copa América, falling to the mighty, powerful Argentines one game before the big final in Miami. In the US, the news of Gregg Berhalter’s departure came, if anything, too late by any measurement, certainly to get Jesse Marsch on board.
Many then saw the Copa América failure as a necessary evil to launch the US into a more convincing path without Berhalter in charge, one that does not end in being grouped out of its own hosted World Cup in 2026 while having a squad filled with stars playing in some of the top club championships in the World.
Regardless of the ceiling for the US, the work to prepare for 2026 needs to be swift and decisive, so any of these four names would be under tremendous pressure to perform and do it right away. They are, among others, some of the prime candidates to replace recently fired Gregg Berhalter as head coach. Each brings experience, tactical acumen, and a deep understanding of domestic and international soccer.
Steve Cherundolo
Steve Cherundolo is a highly respected figure in U.S. soccer as a player and a coach. Known for his reliable presence during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he played every minute for the U.S. team, Cherundolo transitioned smoothly into coaching after retirement. He began coaching at Hannover 96, eventually as an assistant coach for the German youth and U.S. national teams.
Cherundolo currently manages Los Angeles FC, where he has implemented a dynamic 4-3-3 attacking formation. His deep understanding of the game, international coaching experience, and familiarity with MLS make him a compelling candidate for the USMNT role. His name has already begun gaining traction in social media circles as a natural replacement for Berhalter, with some asking for someone with more experience either domestically or internationally rather than another coach with only Major League Soccer in their head coaching resume.
Brian Schmetzer
For those who feel MLS is the best place to source Gregg’s replacement, Brian Schmetzer is another name to consider. He has been a transformative figure for the Seattle Sounders FC, guiding the team to numerous successes since becoming head coach in 2016. Under his leadership, the Sounders have won multiple MLS Cups and the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, making them the first MLS team to win a continental championship since 2000.
Schmetzer’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation has proven highly effective, and his ability to adapt tactics and motivate players has earned him a reputation as one of the best coaches in MLS. His track record of success and deep knowledge of American soccer make him a strong contender for the USMNT head coach position, and someone who could quickly calm the nerves of those wanting to see the team perform well right away under new leadership.
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp, known for his dynamic and high-intensity “Gegenpressing” style, has been one of the most influential coaches in modern football. Having led Borussia Dortmund to Bundesliga titles and Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League victories, Klopp’s ability to build cohesive and resilient teams is unparalleled. Although he recently ended his tenure with Liverpool, his tactical expertise and charismatic leadership could bring a fresh and vigorous approach to the USMNT.
Of course, the issue here is the price tag, rumored to be over 20 million dollars. Klopp would also demand more political power than any of the abovementioned names. Someone of his magnitude knows that to make US Soccer truly take off, it must undergo some major reform. Klopp could be the engineer of this movement if the federation finds a way to convince him to come and, most importantly, pay him.
Klopp’s experience at the highest levels of European football and his proven track record of success make him an exciting potential choice for the U.S. national team.
Wilfried Nancy
Wilfried Nancy has quickly made a name for himself in MLS with his innovative coaching style and impressive results. After a successful stint with CF Montréal, where he implemented an attractive style of play, Nancy took over as head coach of Columbus Crew. He led the Crew to an MLS Cup victory in his first season, becoming the first Black coach to win the title. Nancy’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation emphasizes fluidity and creativity, which could benefit the USMNT, especially when they are the underdogs against larger South American and European powers. His ability to develop young talent and adapt tactics to different opponents positions him as a promising candidate for the national team.
Wilfred’s success is recent, however, and his experience in Columbus may not be enough to take on a complicated assignment so close to a World Cup, but he is someone who should be on the radar as a promising young coach, currently coaching in one of the most soccer friendly cities in the US.
Each of these coaches brings unique strengths and a distinct vision for the future of U.S. soccer. Whether Cherundolo’s international formation, Schmetzer’s domestic success, Klopp’s tactical innovation, or Nancy’s fresh perspective, the USMNT has a good base of talent to choose from in its next head coach and move on from what was a very long Gregg Berhalter tenure, one that likely took too long to end but made it clearer for the Federation who the replacement candidates should be for a salvageable 2026 World Cup run.