The opportunity for American managers in Europe haven't been easy to come by, but a young American is ready to blaze a trail after only recently retiring as a player.
Former U.S. national team defender Gregg Berhalter has been named the new manager of Swedish club Hammarby, the club announced on Monday. The hiring is a historic one in American soccer as Berhalter becomes the first American-born former U.S. national team player to be hired as a manager of a team in Europe.
Berhalter, 38, recently retired as a member of the MLS Cup-winning Los Angeles Galaxy, where he served as a player-coach. Berhalter enjoyed a lengthy playing career in Europe that saw him enjoy stints in the Netherlands and Germany.
A member of the U.S. World Cup teams in 2002 and 2006, Berhalter is best remembered for the goal-bound shot he put on goal that was infamously blocked off the line by German midfielder Torsten Frings in the United States' 1-0 loss to Germany in the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals.
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In sweden we have bad experience with coaches from other countries since we have abit of a unique game system, but maybe an american would fit well, think he will only have maybe a half season to prove himself since many fans already is sceptical and its crucial that we make it to the first division(Allsvenskan) very soon as we have a new arena with an expensive rent ready next year.
Our hockey team went backrubt a few years ago and had to start all over (the fans startet a new team in 6th division) and many are afraid that the same will happen to the football team if we stays in the 2nd division(superettan)
We need loads of college players going over to Scandinavia and BeNe(Lux) countries because that’s the best way into the big European leagues. Berhalter at Hammarby (and Stewart at AZ) hopefully leads to those clubs becoming a major pipeline for US talent.
Not US-born. Or maybe that part got edited in after your comment…
Wrong wrong wrong. Hammarby has most supporter-members in whole Sweden. And not most hooligans.
Hope for the best with Gregg.
Ps. We will never forget Charlie Davies.
/Alex Stockholm, Sweden. Hammarby fan.
awesome, congrats Gregg!
doors are opening up…
I’ve been saying this for years when people were hoping Bruce Arena then Bob Bradley may get a coaching job in Europe. It will only happen for an American that actually played in Europe. If Berhalter does well it will open up opportunites at higher caliber European teams.
+1! you beat me to the edit. still hoping frings gets lost on an ice fishing trip in canada…
It’s good news, but I’d be happier if it were a player who had been exposed to better coaching.
Arena is good, but I doubt he’s in anyone’s top 50.
Too bad he missed out on playing under some of the great coaches in Germany like Daum, Hitzfeld, Schaaf,Rehagel, etc.
But it will be good enough for Sweden.
If this becomes a trend, I can’t wait for the second wave. I can imagine someone like Reyna becoming an excellent coach.
But I’m saying it here first. Michael Bradley is a good soccer player. By American standards he is excellent. But I have a feeling he will make a fantastic coach.
Hard to say what kind of contracts they are offering right now but Hammarby had a salary budget of around $3.5 million in 2010. Probably lower now going into 2012, playing two seasons in the second division takes it’s toll on the economy.
Money talks. MLS does not pay unless you’re a superstar.
Gregg spent most of his years in Europe and should adjust fine.
Hammarby barely avoided being relegated from the 2nd division this last season. Good luck Gregg! They are the 3rd most popular team in Stockholm, though. (With a rep for having the most hooligans in their fan base.)
Scandinavia has a great relationship with our players. More of them need to head there, same with our aspiring coaches
A lot of college guys could be bought and head there. I bet they could easily make $50 K a season and if promoted to the first division, that could triple.
Yes, calling them a 2d division relegation fodder team is ridiculous. Hammarby was contending for the Allsvenskan and qualifying for European cups only a few years ago.
For the Swedish 2nd div? Doubt many Americans would head there. At best maybe NASL or USL players.
Galaxy fans were lucky to have Gregg around for a couple years. His abilities and leadership were indispensable in the back line. Best of luck in Sweden!
Dooley Managed FC Saarbrücken, When they were in the Third Division. Ives said Top Division. And Ernie Stewart was NAC Breda’s Technical Director.
Let the American Player gold rush begin! Seriously, Greg, start hiring Americans.
Let’s set the record straight. The first American to have been given a head coaching job in Europe is Joe Enochs which is coaching in Germany at this time. Joe Enochs was also the first American to have a tribute game honoring his time with his club.
Well deserved for a classy, talented player defender with great leadership skills.
That’s right. He the Director of Football at AZ now.
I don’t think Stewart was ever a manager. He was the Technical Director and is now the Director of Football Operations at NAC Breda.
No. Earnie was in a front office role at NAC and is now in a similar role at AZ Alkmaar. I think he’s the Technical Director.
it’s been my favorite team since Charlie Davies was there! i also had the chance to see the stadium when I was in Stockholm.
It should be noted that Hammarby are not currently a 1st division side. They are languishing in the 2nd division and haven’t have an easy ride. Hammarby are traditionally a hugely supported club in Sweden but the few years, really since Charlie Davies left, have been incredibly rough — financial woes to blame. Berhalter has an uphill battle but given his character he will make the most of it . I’ve always pegged him as a manager and hopefully this is he first step in his new career.
Great news for Gregg. Along with Dooley, wasn’t Ernie Stewart a manager of NAC Breda at one point also?
Kudos to Gregg!
I battled Gregg during his NJ club days (shows my age!). Never an athletic phenom, but incredibly intelligent and always positioned properly…even at the youth levels. A really nice guy. Given what he excelled at (cerebral aspect of the game), I think he’ll be a very good gaffer.
Good weekend for Tar Heels everywhere!
Does not surprise me. Gregg Berhalter has intimated that he would like to assume coaching duties in the near future the minute Arena signed him. He was already playing as a coach-player for the Galaxy the last year. The Galaxy’s vaunted defense had his fingerprints all over it.
While most people thought he would stay with the Galaxy organization as a coach, the opportunities presented by AEG’s holdings figured into this.
One of the biggest benefits Beckham may pursue if he were to sign with the Galaxy for another year (and maybe even if he doesn’t) is a position with AEG after his retirement. It has been floated around that AEG has made it clear he is elgible to pursue opportunities with the Giant Entertainment Corporation, be it as a whole of part owner of an MLS team, or, as many have spoken about, a VP in the organization.
Opportunities within the Galaxy club and AEG corporate framework of Holdings is a very strong attraction to those wishing to sign with the Galaxy.
AEG
Wow. He was the last US citizen I would guess at getting a European club managerial post. I hope more coaches follow suit.
“on goal that was infamously blocked off the line by German midfielder Torsten Frings in the United”
s/b
“on goal that was infamously *handled* off the line by German midfielder Torsten Frings in the United”
I think it’s important not just to have players in Europe but also coaches. Hopefully he does well and we can start to see US taken more seriously. Best of luck!!
While the team currently isn’t great (to say the least…) Hammarby is still one of the maybe five biggest clubs in Sweden and it’s just a matter of time before they bounce back up to where they should be in the hierarchy. Would be great timing for Berhalter if it happens during his time as manager.
Ives – Wasn’t Thomas Dooley the first former US National Team player to manage in Europe, when he managed FC Saarbrücken in 2002?
positives is that Swedes speak English perfectly and that AEG owns the team
AEG own 49% of the club so he’s one of their representatives on the Hammarby board.
AEG owns Hammarby so it’s not really all that surprising.
Awesome news even if it’s a relegation fodder team in the Swedish second division. Yanks gotta start somewhere
he spells his name with 2 G’s?
How did Chris Klein get on the Hammarby board?
Chris Klein is on the Hammarby board and he recommended Berhalter as the new manager.
Good for him!! Out of curiosity…. any one know how this came about that an american with no coaching experience (maybe player-coach counts a little) land a job coaching in Sweden?!?!
Congratulations Greg! Great to see an American being given this type of opportunity. All the best!
Awesome news!
Anyone have any idea what, if any connection existed between him and Hammarby before the hire? Does he have any connections at all in Sweden? In any case, I wish him the best.
As odd as as Anelka to China.
Incredible news…even more so because he never played for them, or even in Sweden.
I wonder if he has CD’s number…
Wow! Can you say “out of the blue?”
Good luck to him. Can’t help but think that’s going to be a tough transition to make.
WOW! I cant believe it. Best of luck Gregg! I have a new favorite team in the Swedish league