U.S. Soccer might need to turn towards other options for the new U.S. men’s national team head coach.
Jurgen Klopp reportedly declined U.S. Soccer’s initial approach to become the new USMNT manager, The Athletic reported Thursday. The 57-year-old stepped down as Liverpool manager in May and remains without a job two months after.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything,” Klopp said in a club interview back in January ahead of his Liverpool departure. “But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
“It is that I am running out of energy,” he added. “I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.”
Klopp is one of the top managers on the market after winning eight trophies at Anfield over his 10 years there. He led the Reds to the UEFA Champions League title in 2018-19 before capturing Liverpool’s first league title of the English Premier League-era the following season.
Prior to his time on Merseyside, Klopp was manager of Borussia Dortmund in his native Germany. He won five trophies with the Black and Yellow, including two Bundesliga crowns and a German Super Cup.
U.S. Soccer sporting Matt Crocker has already begin his search for a new USMNT head coach after Gregg Berhalter’s exit on Wednesday. Berhalter was head coach on two separate spells, winning 44 of his 74 matches in charge.
The coaching change came one week after the USMNT exited the Copa America in the group stage.
Canada and New Zealand next await the USMNT in a pair of September friendlies.
US U20 qualifying roster just dropped. Looks like everyone got released except Kochen and Campbell. Good that Keyrol is there.
Why not Stu Holden? He always knows exactly what the players on the pitch and coaches on the sidelines should have done, and if he were named I’d never have to listen to his commentary.
Alexi Lalas knows as well, just ask him, he’ll tell you!
The writing was already on the wall, but if the USSF hadn’t at least made the initial call, US soccer fans would be upset for not making an attempt. It would not be too shocking if we hear of another marquee manager declining the offer as well going forward. There is a lot of inherent risk with the position currently which may dissuade candidates.
renard (a) is under deal with the french women (what is it with our fed and unavailable coaches????) (b) lost to poland and mexico after upsetting argentina (and thus didn’t get out of his group) with KSA men in WC ’22 (c) went out ’18 WC group round with morocco (who went to the semis next time) in last place in a group with iran, then went out round of 16 in ’19 afcon to benin, (d) lost to the land of oz in the ’23 WWC quarters with france women.
I believe Renard’s contract ends at the completion of the Olympics.
WTF is an initial approach?
Is Dr Evil doing the negotiations?
“We will pay you……. One million dollars”
Negotiations were well under way when Mr Klopp remembered he had to wash his hair that day.