Herculez Gomez discusses his hope for the U.S. to continue seeking high-profile managers if Jürgen Klopp declines the offer.
The United States Soccer Federation has started reaching out to potential replacements for recently dismissed manager Gregg Berhalter, with former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp among those contacted. However, sources inform ESPN that it is unlikely Klopp will engage in further discussions.
Klopp, 57, has indicated he wants to take a year off from management after nearly nine years with Liverpool. Additional sources mentioned that Klopp might not pursue management again and his financial demands, likely to be in the eight-figure range, pose another challenge.
The U.S. is searching for a new manager following Berhalter’s dismissal on Wednesday after a poor performance in the 2024 Copa América, where the USMNT did not get past the group stage.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker stated in a call with reporters that he plans to start the search “immediately” and aims to appoint a new manager by the September international window.
“I want to find the best coach possible who can help the team win, regardless of whether they are from the U.S. or elsewhere. They must fit the profile of a serial winning coach and someone who can continue developing this talented group of players,” Crocker said.
Although Crocker is pushing for a swift process, he has plans for an interim coach if necessary.
“I understand the challenges and why it might not happen by September,” he added. “If that’s the case, I have a contingency plan to ensure consistency through the September window and to prevent major disruptions.”