Jim Curtin believes finding Gregg Berhalter’s replacement as U.S. coach doesn’t need to be complicated.
“If Jürgen Klopp is available and interested, there’s no need for an interview process. He’s the guy,” said the Philadelphia Union coach on Thursday. “But I’m not sure how serious that possibility is.”
Klopp recently retired from Liverpool after a successful nine-year tenure that included winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. He is a popular choice among fans to succeed Berhalter, who was dismissed after the U.S. team’s early exit from the Copa America.
Other names circulating as potential coaches for the American team ahead of the 2026 World Cup include Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Marcelo Bielsa, Jim Curtin, Steve Cherundolo, Jesse Marsch, Hugo Pérez, Pellegrino Matarazzo, David Wagner, Massimiliano Allegri, and Mauricio Pochettino.
“I think we need a confident, assertive personality—someone who walks in and resets everything, making it clear that everyone starts fresh and needs to define themselves heading into the World Cup,” said Taylor Twellman, former national team forward and current lead analyst for Apple TV, speaking at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship this week.
“This group of players has been called the golden generation for a while, but they haven’t had that defining victory,” Twellman added. “So if I were in charge, I’d shift the focus away from the players and put someone in front of the cameras who can handle the spotlight and the pressure.”
