Those rumors linking Gregg Berhalter to the Club América job? The man himself says they were legit.
Speaking to reporters after his return as the U.S. men’s national team head coach on Friday, Berhalter confirmed that he and the Liga MX power held talks. Per the 49-year-old, that process was only interrupted by U.S. Soccer setting a date for an interview.
“Regarding Club América, one thing I’d say is I had never dealt with them before, and I was really impressed with the level that they were working at,” said Berhalter. “The staff, the management, everything…I think it was a intriguing possibility.”
Berhalter explained that he wouldn’t have been able to forgive himself for turning down the USMNT’s call, and expressed gratitude that Club América was amenable to him interviewing for his old job.
“One thing I told them when I got the date for [the USMNT] interview is, ‘I have to do this interview. I know that we have something that we’re discussing, but I have to go through this because I would regret it the rest of my life, if I never gave myself the opportunity.’ And so thankfully, they were accommodating.”
Berhalter’s ‘options’ were real
Following a U.S. Soccer investigation into a domestic violence incident involving him and his now-wife Rosalind which ruled that he was still eligible for the USMNT job, Berhalter said that he “had options.”
Club América director of football Santiago Baños discussed the Berhalter rumors on Wednesday, and the Mexico City side wasn’t alone in pursuing the New Jersey native. Berhalter was also reportedly in the running to become Sparta Rotterdam’s next manager, with Dutch outlets listing him as a finalist to take over the Eredivisie club. However, he did not address the rumors of a possible return to the Netherlands, where he started his professional career and spent six seasons as a player.
With a history of success in MLS and experience coaching in Europe with Swedish side Hammarby, Berhalter would have likely been a strong candidate for open posts on both continents had U.S. Soccer not made their decision earlier this week.
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