5 European-Based USMNT Replacements for Gregg Berhalter

Since Gregg Berhalter was fired as head coach of the USMNT, a slew of names have been linked to the job. Jurgen Klopp was an ambitious appointment, and the former Liverpool manager who took over the Stars and Stripes was ultimately unrealistic.

MLS coaches Steve Cherundolo and Wilfred Nancy are also considered candidates. However, FOX Sports recently reported that “there are no consistently winning American coaches at the highest level who are available now — if there are any — U.S. Soccer sports director Matt Crocker has instead set his sights on signing the most successful international manager possible.”

Here are five managers from Europe who could be in contention to become the next head coach of the U.S. national team.

Patrick Vieira recently left his role at Strasbourg, and this could be a very good time for him to take on the head coaching job of the USMNT.

Vieira will have an understanding of American soccer, having coached in MLS with New York City FC. His experience as a manager in Europe is mixed, but he did win the World Cup as a player in 1998.

He’s a big name that could help build buzz around the 2026 World Cup, but that could mean nothing if Vieira doesn’t get the US team performing on the field.

The Olympics this summer could be key for Thierry Henry. He is the manager of the French team and if they are successful, that could put him in a great position to become the next head coach for the USMNT.

Henry of course has an excellent resume as a player; like Vieria, he won the World Cup in 1998. He also knows football in America, having played in the MLS for the New York Red Bulls and coached Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal).

What could be key to Henry’s appointment is his experience as a coach on the international stage. He was assistant to Roberto Martinez at Belgium and is head coach of the French U21 team and the Olympic team.

Mauricio Pochettino could be seen as an ambitious target for the USMNT, but he is available after leaving Chelsea at the end of last season.

Pochettino has shown interest in coaching at international level in the past, although he is also in line for the England job.

Gareth Southgate left England after they finished second in the European Championship. He has a very impressive record with the Three Lions, including two finals at the European Championships and a semi-final and quarter-final at the World Cup.

His international experience is second to none but he will need a break after eight years with England. It is also difficult to see Southgate coaching an international team that is not England. He will also likely return to club football at some point.

Luis de la Fuente just won the European Championship with Spain and is reportedly interested in the USMNT job. However, these links could just be a way for him to get an improved contract with the Spanish national team.