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4 months ago
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US Soccer chiefs have reportedly held talks with Jurgen Klopp over the possibility of him taking charge of the USMNT.
The USA is on the hunt for a new coach after Gregg Berhalter was fired on Wednesday, following the nation's disappointing showing at Copa America on home soil.
Klopp is currently out of work after leaving Liverpool earlier this year, with the German intending to take a break from management.
But, according to The Independent, US Soccer has made Klopp its top target as it builds towards a home World Cup in 2026.
The 57-year-old insisted he was 'running out energy' after nearly a decade at Liverpool. He has been relaxing in Spain, having bought a $4.3million villa in Majorca. But Klopp recently ruled out retiring quite yet.
US Soccer chiefs have reportedly held talks with Jurgen Klopp over the USMNT manager's job
Gregg Berhalter was fired as head coach of the US Men's National Team on Wednesday
'It's out of the question that I'll stop working altogether,' Klopp said. 'But I don't see myself continuing at the same pace as before at the moment.'
The German, one of the most decorated coaches in the game, won the Premier League and Champions League during an illustrious nine years in charge at Anfield.
Following the USMNT's exit at the group stages of Copa America, DailyMail.com columnist Tim Howard vowed to fly to Spain to persuade Klopp to lead the US into a home World Cup in 2026.
The German has so far not directly addressed the calls for him to take charge but he did tease fans with a social media message on 4th of July.
'It’s the perfect day to think about my trips with Liverpool to the States... we’ve had a great time & the US fans are electric! Happy 4th of July,' Klopp wrote alongside a selection of snaps from pre-season tours.
Berhalter's future was plunged into doubt after the USMNT was beaten by both Panama and Uruguay at Copa America, condemning Christian Pulisic and Co to a group-stage exit.
The USMNT went out of Copa America in the groups after defeats by Panama and Uruguay
Klopp, now 57, has bought a $4.3million villa in Majorca where he has been winding down
On Wednesday evening, the US Soccer Federation announced his departure 'effective immediately'.
'I want to thank Gregg for his hard work and dedication to U.S. Soccer and our Men's National Team,' US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said.
'We are now focused on working with our Sporting Director Matt Crocker and leveraging his experience at the highest levels of the sport to ensure we find the right person to lead the USMNT into a new era of on-field success.'
In a statement sent to Mail Sport, Berhalter took responsibility for the disappointing Copa America campaign: 'I want to thank the US Soccer Federation for entrusting me to lead this team for the past five years — representing our country is a tremendous honor and I am proud of the identity we have built on and off the field.
'It was very gratifying watching this team improve over the years and I remain grateful for the lifetime bonds created with our players, coaches, and staff members.
'The Copa America result is extremely disappointing and I take full responsibility for our performance. Our approach and process was always focused on the 2026 World Cup and I remain confident that this group will be one of the great stories in 2026.'
English (US)