Former USA interim boss Anthony Hudson joins Qatar’s Al-Markhiya on a two-year contract as head coach after leaving the national team
- Anthony Hudson trades the US national team for the Qatar Stars League
- It is not the first time in his career that he has coached in the Middle East
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Former USA interim coach Anthony Hudson has signed a two-year contract with Al-Markhiya of Qatar, the club announced on Tuesday.
Hudson temporarily took over the U.S. men’s national team in January, overseeing five games, leading the team to two wins and two ties in that span.
Announcing his departure last week, US Soccer said Hudson would be leaving his post to find another job, though the federation did not provide details.
Hudson was replaced in his interim role by former USMNT aide BJ Callaghan.
Although Hudson was in the job for less than five months, he will be remembered by American fans for his role in convincing striker Folarin Balogun to commit to the national team.
Al-Markhiya’s official Twitter account shared this photo of Anthony Hudson at the club
Hudson took over for Gregg Berhaler in January and led the USMNT in five games
Hudson helped convince Folarin Balogun’s commitment to the US national team
Balogun went to the US – over England and Nigeria – last month while Hudson was still in charge, meeting the coach in March when the team was in Florida.
The Qatar Stars League, in which Al-Markhiya finished seventh out of twelve teams last season, will start the 2023-2024 season on August 17.
Hudson left the USMNT for the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup, both of which begin this month.
This isn’t Hudson’s first time coaching in the Middle East.
The 42-year-old previously coached the Bahrain senior national team and its U23s.
He also coached New Zealand before moving on to a two-year stint with Colorado Rapids in the MLS.