When it comes to Jürgen Klopp, U.S. Soccer is shooting its shot.
According to a report in The Independent, the federation has already reached out to the ex-Liverpool coach just one day after firing Gregg Berhalter as U.S. men’s national team head coach.
However, The Athletic would later report that Klopp turned down the federation’s advances.
Berhalter was dismissed in the aftermath of the USMNT’s surprise group-stage exit at the Copa América, with U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker saying on Wednesday that a search for Berhalter’s replacement is already underway.
That search has taken the federation to Klopp, who would be something of a dream candidate despite his lack of experience at the international level.
Klopp just finished a wildly successful nine-year spell at Anfield, winning eight major trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.
Ex-USMNT stars Tim Howard and Alexi Lalas have called on the federation to target the charismatic German, with Howard even going as far as offering to personally fly to Spain to convince the 57-year-old.
Klopp is still seen as something of a long shot for the position, as he’s been clear that he intends to take a break from management after becoming burned out over his spell in Liverpool. He even suggested he could be done coaching altogether.
The pace of the international game, however, is less challenging than the daily rigors of the club game, which could be appealing to Klopp.
But Klopp also reportedly made $19.1 million per season at the end of his Liverpool contract, a figure nearly 10 times what Berhalter made as USMNT coach.
It’s unclear if U.S. Soccer has the ability to convince Klopp — financially or otherwise — that the USMNT is the right project for him to take on. Regardless, the federation is at least going to try.
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