USMNT coaching candidates: 10 to watch, including Jürgen Klopp

The big question isn’t whether Gregg Berhalter will return to coach the U.S. men’s national team. The big question is who will replace him if he doesn’t.

American Jesse Marsch, a finalist for the job last year before U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker ultimately rehired Berhalter, is no longer available after taking the job in Canada. He promptly led the Reds to Friday’s Copa America quarterfinal against Venezuela (9 p.m. ET, FOX and the FOX Sports app). With that in mind, there’s no obvious replacement. Other oft-discussed possibilities (Jose Mourinho, Pellegrino Materazzo) are also currently employed and/or unlikely to leave their current jobs.

There are plenty of other potential candidates, though. Below, in no particular order, are 10 names who could be on Crocker’s list, along with their chances of getting the job.

Jürgen Klopp, 57, single

Why this makes sense: The U.S. Soccer Federation likes to say it has hired the best female coach in the world in the charismatic Emma Hayes, the head coach of the women’s national team. Klopp is the equivalent on the men’s side. Bringing in the former Liverpool manager ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil would be a watershed moment for the federation; Klopp’s presence alone would instantly make the U.S. women’s national team globally relevant.

Klopp has won everything he has in nearly a decade at Anfield, and he has been available since leaving the Reds in May. He would command a huge salary — Klopp earned around $20 million per season at Liverpool. But if he were truly interested, the USSF would have to move heaven and earth to make it happen, primarily by soliciting funds from donors and sponsors to secure the investment, multiple sources told FOX Sports. The federation would at least have to see if it was a possibility, one source said.

Why this is not the case: Elite coaches are serious about winning trophies, and Klopp doesn’t think the U.S. national team is capable of lifting the World Cup in 2026. He probably won’t be primarily motivated by money; why leave Liverpool if that were the case? Klopp has repeatedly said up until now that he wants at least a full year off from his coaching job. The U.S. team probably can’t afford to wait until 2025. Even for the beloved German.

Probability: 2 (On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most likely.)

Steve Cherundolo, 45, LAFC

Why this makes sense: Cherundolo has a lot of quality: He led LAFC to back-to-back MLS Cup finals in his first two years with the club, which he won in 2022. He also won the Supporters Shield, reached a Concacaf final and was an assistant in the Bundesliga before that. Cherundolo was part of three U.S. World Cup teams as a player. He speaks perfect German, is connected throughout Europe and is universally respected at home. He also wouldn’t cost much more than Hayes, which could be a factor if the likes of Klopp and Southgate aren’t interested.

Why this is not the case: The San Diego native is happy in Southern California and not three years into his head coaching career. He may not feel ready. LAFC may also be hesitant to let him go mid-season. It’s hard to see them getting in his way, though, and the opportunity could be hard to turn down. Cherundolo is the favorite.

Probability: 8

Gareth Southgate, 53, England National team

Why this makes sense: The long-serving Three Lions manager is a big name. And he is likely to step down after Euro 2024, even if England win the tournament, which they still have a chance of doing. The USSF could make its ambitions clear if they do, and Southgate knows the international game inside out. He knows the American player pool well, having studied the Americans extensively ahead of the two countries’ group stage meeting in Qatar in 2022. Southgate, who is well-versed in the media, would quickly endear himself to mainstream fans in a much more forgiving media landscape. And he might be intrigued by the prospect of leading another national team at a World Cup on home soil.

Why this is not the case: Southgate’s style of play has been called boring. And while he wouldn’t cost as much as Klopp, he certainly wouldn’t be cheap, especially if he ended up leading England’s men to their first title since 1966. He currently earns over $6 million from the FA and would likely need a lot more to party on.

Probability: 4

Jim Curtin, 45, Philadelphia Union

Why this makes sense: The second-longest-tenured coach in MLS is one of its best: Curtin led Philly to the Supporters Shield in 2020 and an MLS Cup appearance in 2022. He’s also coached a number of current national team players, including Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie. His down-to-earth, no-nonsense personality would resonate with American fans and players alike.

Why this is not the case: Despite all his exploits, Curtin has no international experience. That is likely to be a hurdle with less than two years to go until the next World Cup.

Probability: 2

Patrick Vieira, 48 years old, Strasbourg

Why this makes sense: Vieira spent more than two successful seasons in charge of MLS team NYCFC. He has since managed Crystal Palace in the Premier League – where he worked with American defender Chris Richards – in between spells at Ligue 1 clubs in his native France. He has also commanded respect in the American dressing room: as a pragmatic central midfielder, he has helped lead Blues at a World Cup and won multiple Premier League and Serie A titles as club captain.

Why this is not the case: Vieira is making close to $3 million with Strasbourg and could expect more from US Soccer. He can be irritable with colleagues and members of the media when things aren’t going well, which isn’t ideal. There’s also a sense that the federation would prefer an American coach for a home World Cup, unless the candidate is a no-brainer like Klopp.

Probability: 5

Hugo Perez, 60 years old, single

Why this makes sense: The former U.S. World Cup midfielder and U15 national team coach has worked with several current senior players at the youth level, including Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic. He spent nearly three years in charge of an El Salvador team that performed well above its weight, including a draw with Berhalter’s U.S. team in 2022 World Cup qualifying. Asked by FOX Sports early last year if he would be interested in coaching his former team, Perez didn’t say no.

Why this is not the case: Crocker reportedly spoke to Perez before Berhalter was rehired last year. But he wasn’t among the finalists, perhaps because of his limited experience: The Salvadoran job, from which Perez was fired last fall, represents his only senior-level management experience.

Probability: 2

Thierry Henry, 46 years old, French Olympic Team

Why this makes sense: Having played and coached in MLS, Henry knows the landscape of American soccer better than most. The former World Cup winner has served as an assistant at several major tournaments with Belgium. He has long been interested in the U.S. job, having turned down France’s women’s World Cup team last year just in case Crocker appointed him. Could Crocker reconsider if Henry were to take charge? Blues towards a gold medal at the Paris Games?

Why this is not the case: Henry was a flop as Monaco boss in 2019 after just 20 games – a period from which his reputation never really recovered despite a respectable season in Montreal a year later.

Probability: 1

David Wagner, 52, single

Why this makes sense: Born in Germany, the former USMNT player has coached teams in the Bundesliga, Premier League, Champions League and English second division. He worked with McKennie at Schalke and Josh Sargent at Norwich City. Before that, he was Klopp’s top assistant at Borussia Dortmund.

Why this is not the case: Wagner lost his shine in the seven years since Huddersfield’s promotion to the Premier League, staying just one year in his last three spells and winning 35% of his games as manager.

Probability: 2

Bob Bradley, 66, of Stabaek

Why this makes sense: Bradley, arguably the most successful American coach of all time, led the United States to the 2009 Confederations Cup final, stunning Spain’s Golden Generation, and to the knockout stage of the 2010 World Cup, where they lost to Ghana in overtime. He also coached Egypt’s national team last decade. Bradley, a dour man, may be the wake-up call the current U.S. national team needs.

Why this is not the case: Bradley has never forgiven the U.S. Soccer Federation for firing him after the 2011 Gold Cup and replacing him with Jurgen Klinsmann. And Bradley’s hiring could be seen as a step backward for the federation, which would rather not embark on a fresh start.

Probability: 3

Wilfried Nancy, 47, member of the Columbus team

Why this makes sense: Arguably the best manager in MLS, Nancy won the MLS Cup in his first season in small-market Columbus and reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final in his second season, all with an extremely appealing style of play.

Why this is not the case: For all his potential, the likeable Frenchman has no international experience. As with Curtin, that almost certainly hurts his chances at the moment.

Probability: 1

Doug McIntyre is a football reporter for FOX Sports who has covered UNITED STATES men’s and women’s national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him on @ByDougMcIntyre.