Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will have seen a stern warning about U.S. Soccer delivered by a manager snubbed by the program: Jesse Marsch.
Marsch pined to lead the United States men's national team (USMNT) after Gregg Berhalter's contract expired in December 2022. Instead of choosing Marsch, the former Premier League manager, to guide the USMNT to the future, U.S. Soccer rehired Berhalter.
With the USMNT being rudely eliminated from the Copa America, Marsch has a warning for any managers looking to take on the seemingly difficult task of getting the United States squad ready for the 2026 World Cup - including, perhaps, USMNT-linked Klopp. Speaking with FOX Sports this week, Marsch explained how he keeps an eye on how the USMNT performs, despite being Canada's manager.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp's comments on international job after 'pitch' to become USA manager
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp openly flirts with next job as he makes feelings on USA clear
"I'm disappointed by the performances, by the lack of discipline," Marsch surmised. "There's a lot of things that I think we've tried to be about, about the game in the US, and we've always believed in this group of players."
Under Marsch's guidance, Canada advanced to the knockout stages of the Copa America. Meanwhile, under Berhalter, the USMNT is searching for answers after failing at a major tournament.
"Because I'm not there every day, I don't have my finger on the pulse of exactly what's going on but, certainly, it's not what we had expected before this tournament," Marsch said. "And somehow, they've got to come up with solutions."
One of the possible solutions to solve the USMNT's problems is for U.S. Soccer to dismiss Berhalter. If it moves on from the 50-year-old, Klopp certainly would be at the top of the federation's list, considering how Klopp has expressed interest in potentially leading the USMNT in the past.
The Athletic previously reported that Klopp might consider taking the USMNT position, should it become available, and a recent Instagram post added more fuel to the fire, penning a letter to his American fans as they celebrate the Fourth of July. "It's the perfect day to think about my trips with Liverpool FC to the States. We've had a great time & the US fans are electric! Happy 4th of July," he wrote.
Klopp's post adds further credence that the German might soon cut his break short to join the Americans . The manager said before the only two positions he would consider would be Germany and "maybe, USA," per The Athletic's Simon Hughes.
USMNT legend Tim Howard is all for Klopp to make his way Stateside if the USSF fires Berhalter. In his column for the Daily Mail , Howard made it clear the United States has what it takes to lure Klopp away from his break and back to the touchline once again.
"I know Klopp has only been retired a few weeks and I know he wants a break. But if we sat around his villa in Spain, I think I could lure him over here. 100 per cent," Howard wrote. "The money is certainly there.
"So my pitch would be simple: he has a young group of players who can play progressive, front-foot soccer — exactly like his Liverpool teams. And in two years’ time, he can go to the biggest World Cup in history."
Most Popular
Comments / 0