U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has said he would ideally like to have a new U.S. men’s national team head coach in place by September.
U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday that Gregg Berhalter would be relieved of his duties, nine days after a loss to Uruguay confirmed a stunning group-stage exit at the Copa América.
In U.S. Soccer’s announcement, Crocker said that the search for Berhalter’s replacement was already underway. In a call with reporters later on Wednesday, the sporting director said he was targeting September’s FIFA window — which will see the USMNT face Canada on Sept. 7 and New Zealand three days later — to have a new coach in place.
However, Crocker added that he had “a really robust contingency plan” in place if a new coach wasn’t hired by then.
The length of U.S. Soccer’s search will be a major talking point after the team’s past two USMNT coaching hires have come at end of elongated processes.
Bruce Arena resigned in November 2017 after the team’s stunning failure to reach the 2018 World Cup, but Berhalter was not named as his successor for 13 months.
After Berhalter’s contract expired at the end of 2022, it would be another six months (which included a major scandal) until U.S. Soccer ultimately decided to re-hire him for a second stint.
This time, Crocker is hoping to shorten that timeframe down to two months. As far as which coach actually comes in, Crocker said that money and nationality would not be limiting factors.
“We are looking for a serial winning coach, a coach that can also build on the work that has already been put in place,” Crocker said.
“I just want to get the best coach possible that can help the team win,” Crocker added. “Whether they’re from the U.S. or elsewhere.
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