US Soccer ‘interviewed more than 10 candidates’ for the USMNT job – with Gregg Berhalter’s successor yet to be named six months after his departure
- Sporting director Matt Crocker is actively seeking a new coach
- The options range from Americans to Europeans – to bringing back Berhalter
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US Soccer’s incoming sporting director Matt Crocker has taken a head start on his new job as he has been busy interviewing coaching candidates for the US men’s national team.
Sources familiar with the coaching quest spoke to Fox Sports’ Doug McIntyreshowing that Crocker has spoken to more than 10 candidates for the men’s national team managerial position.
The report says many of the candidates are American, but others are from France, England, Germany and Spain – even Central America.
The source has not released any names, as McIntyre says, “out of respect for the process.”
At least one name has been somewhat confirmed as a candidate: Los Angeles FC’s Steve Cherundolo.
US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has reportedly spoken to more than 10 candidates for the open managerial position with the United States men’s national team
Ex-USMNT defenseman Heath Pearce that LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo (above) is a candidate
Another source told McIntyre that the USSF has spoken with Hoffenheim boss Pellegrino Matarazzo
That was revealed by his former USMNT teammate Heath Pearce, who said on CBS Sports’ podcast “In Soccer we Trust,” “By the way, Cherundolo is being interviewed for the job.”
Another name confirmed to McIntyre by sources that US Soccer has contacted is Pellegrino Matarazzo. The New Jersey native began coaching Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart last season before being sacked and then finished the season at Hoffenheim.
This report did not say whether Crocker was involved in the discussion with Matarazzo or whether it was a formal interview.
There are plenty of names associated with the track through their links to Major League Soccer.
It is likely that the “France” component of that report includes the names Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira. Henry has publicly expressed interest in the role, while ex-Crystal Palace boss Vieira has experience in the MLS via New York City FC.
Then there’s the much-discussed front-runner for the position: ex-Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch.
Not only is he available after his inglorious departure from Leeds, but Marsch has arguably the most experience coaching abroad of any US candidate linked to the job.
He coached in the Bundesliga, Premier League and UEFA Champions League after cutting his teeth at MLS club New York Red Bulls. Marsch also has coaching experience with the USMNT as an assistant.
Patrick Vieira (L) and Thierry Henry (R), two Frenchmen with MLS ties, are possible candidates
There is speculation that Jesse Marsch (R) is the top choice, while Gregg Berhalter (L) is still under consideration by US football officials to be rehired for the job he held for five years
Finally, there’s the man who most recently held the job: Gregg Berhalter. While picking him may be the most anticlimactic choice, US Soccer continues to insist Berhalter is a candidate.
A possible Berhalter squad is supported by the players who worked under him during the World Cup.
Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah both recently released messages of support saying they want Berhalter back in the post.
Representatives from Berhalter, Marsch and US Soccer have not commented on McIntyre’s report.