The U.S. Soccer Federation’s interest in hiring Jurgen Klopp to coach the men’s national team is not shared by the former Liverpool manager, according to multiple media reports.
ESPN and The Athletic each cited sources on Thursday saying that Klopp, 57, is steadfast in his desire to take a break from managing after nearly nine years with Liverpool. Before he departed in May, Klopp guided Liverpool to eight major honors.
U.S. Soccer began an immediate search for a head coach after announcing Wednesday the firing of Gregg Berhalter following a series of disappointing results. The USMNT most recently did not advance out of the group stage with one victory over Bolivia and losses to Panama and Uruguay at the 2024 Copa America, hosted by the United States.
Berhalter had guided the U.S. squad to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, which raised expectations for progress that has not come in terms of victories. The Americans want momentum going into the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts with Canada and Mexico.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said Wednesday that he hopes to hire a new manager by September. The federation could hire an interim coach if necessary.
“I just want to get the best coach possible that can help the team win and whether they’re from the U.S. or elsewhere, they’ve got to fit the profile, which is a serial winning coach, somebody that can continue to develop this potential group of players,” Crocker said.
Among the other names speculated to replace Berhalter — who was under scrutiny even before the Copa America — are Thierry Henry of France, Marcelo Bielsa and Mauricio Pochettino of Argentina and MLS coaches Wilfried Nancy and Steve Cherundolo.
Klopp led Liverpool to their first Premier League crown in 30 years and their first Champions League title since 2005. But in departing in May, Klopp said that while he “loves absolutely everything” about the club, the staff, the city and Liverpool’s supporters, he had to leave.
“It is that I am running out of energy,” Klopp said. “I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.”
–Field Level Media
