Former U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter is on his way back to MLS.
The Chicago Fire hired Berhalter as their new head coach and director of football, the club announced Tuesday. Berhalter has been without a job since being fired as USMNT head coach last summer following the team’s poor showing at the 2024 Copa America.
“I’m honored to be named Director of Football and Head Coach of the Chicago Fire, and I would like to thank Joe Mansueto for his trust,” said Berhalter. “Chicago is an incredible city, built on communities of hard-working and passionate people who truly love soccer. I look forward to working alongside our staff and players to transform the Fire into a world-class organization that all our fans and the city can be proud of and will support.”
The 51-year-old Berhalter was hired in 2018 and served as USMNT head coach on two separate stints. He led the Americans back to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, leading them to a Round of 16 finish.
He won one CONCACAF Gold Cup title, as well as two Nations League titles. Berhalter’s USMNT record finished at 44-17-13 in 74 matches.
Prior to his move to U.S. Soccer, Berhalter was head coach of the Columbus Crew from 2013-18, as well as manager of Swedish side Hammarby from 2011-13. He won 74 of his 193 matches in charge of the Crew, helping the Eastern Conference side reach the MLS Cup Playoffs on four of five occasions.
The Fire have failed to make the playoffs in each of the last seven MLS seasons, finishing 10th or lower in six of those years.
Outstanding! I’m relieved that he’s not coming to Atlanta!
I think Arthur will go for another big fish this time around.
columbus he was handed a 52 point team that was not far removed from being champions, had been playoff regulars, the last team not to make it in a tough east, 1 point out of the playoffs, more wins than losses, even GD. CHI is last in the east, poor defense, hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017.
i think he’s overrated, dining out on his isolated streaky years (2015, 2021), and the sneaky thing is when he took over the crew, it got worse year 1, then made the playoffs with the same amount of points his predecessor had missed it with, never got better regular season than 1-2 points (53-54) more than got that guy fired, often worse. nancy comes in and it’s routine hardware and 57, 60 point years.
that and i’m not a fan of him being in the same city as USSF HQ free to pop in and give his 2 cents.
criticism aside, he should whack his agent with a rubber hose. bradley got to go abroad off the US job, callaghan got nashville, his owner buddy has a new opening in austin who weren’t good but were closer to the red line, and he’s getting chicago?
i mean, austin should have a 3rd DP to play with this offseason, ok defense (similar or better than some western playoff teams), see if they can get rid of bukari or driussi (and some supporting cast), they just need some goals. the GM would do half the fixing for you.
The Crew did well for Gregg when Higuain was healthy and struggled seasons he had big injuries. Yes the offense ran off wide play from Meram and Finley crossing to the aerial skilled CFs but it was Higuain unlocking them with balls behind the defense. Part of why I was confused that Gregg was so hard headed to playing with a true 10 for his NT tenure is it was key to his MLS teams. To be fair Nancy is a better manager but the current owners spend so much more than Precourt ever did. They never had depth under Gregg, Nancy has been given weapon upon weapon. Chicago hasn’t been big spenders though either and when they do it’s usually on overrated players. There are not too many Director/Managers in MLS anymore and that more than anything I think indicates it won’t work. Of course if your Gregg the likelihood that Chicago hires a halfway competent Sporting Director seems pretty low so better to try both jobs.
Step 1: bring in Gio as a DP
Losers love loser-mentality!
😂😂😂
Hey come on… patience man, it’s a process. A never…… ending… fuzzy… wishful… touchie-feelie… process.
Don’t believe? Ok, I’d rather not talk specifics, make promises about winners or losers, but if you’ve got a minute, I have a fantastic Powerpoint on how we’re going to change the way people view soccer in Chicago.