After the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) was eliminated from Copa America during the group stage, fans have called for Gregg Berhalter to be fired immediately and replaced with an elite-level head coach .
The USMNT needed to beat Uruguay in its final game in Group C to qualify for the knockout rounds, following a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama on June 27. The team was beaten 1-0 by Uruguay as Berhalter failed again when faced with a highly-rated nation, and fans are now panicking with the 2026 World Cup just two years away.
Berhalter was only re-hired 12 months ago by U.S. Soccer after his contract expired following the 2022 World Cup, where the USMNT advanced from the group stages but lost to the Netherlands in the first knockout stage. U.S. Soccer has been preparing for the 2026 World Cup for over a decade as it's hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, and fans have lost faith in Berhalter.
During the fallout after the USMNT was eliminated, fans made an audacious plea for Pep Guardiola to take the head coach role for the 2026 World Cup, as his deal at Manchester City expires in the summer of 2025. However, City legend Paul Dickov has issued a reality check and hinted Guardiola could extend his contract.
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"No, they can keep their hands off Pep please. He's staying here (City) for a little bit longer," Dickov exclusively told Mirror US Sports ahead of City's U.S. preseason tour . "He's here for next season at least. But Pep is the best. Unprecedented trophies and records from Barcelona to Bayern Munich and now at Man City.
"I think if you asked any nation, any international country, or any club all over the world who the No. 1 target would be, I'm sure it would be Pep Guardiola."
It's been a controversial Copa America as far as the USMNT is concerned, with multiple complaints made to officials during the group stages. Fans complained about decisions during the 2-1 defeat to Panama, and it's also been claimed that Uruguay's goal on Monday should have been ruled out.
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A VAR check was conducted when Mathias Olivera gave Uruguay the lead after 66 minutes, but officials deemed the defender to be onside by the finest of margins. The referee, Kevin Ortega, even refused to shake the hand of USMNT captain Christian Pulisic after the game, as tempers flared.
"Honestly, I mean I saw things that I've never seen before right in front of my eyes today that I just truly can't believe," Pulisic told reporters. "It's not why we lost; we're not out of this tournament because of officiating. But really, I've just seen things that I just really - I mean I think everyone can just admit - I don't know what I'm looking at. I don't know what they're calling. I don't know what he's - he gives no explanation. He's doing things that I just can't accept."
Despite the blame placed on officials head coach Berhalter is under major pressure, but fans may have to be more realistic with their suggestions as Guardiola is the most desired coach in world soccer.
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