U.S. Soccer may need to consider other options for the new U.S. men’s national team head coach.
Jurgen Klopp reportedly turned down U.S. Soccer’s initial approach to become the new USMNT manager, as reported by The Athletic on Thursday. The 57-year-old resigned as Liverpool manager in May and is currently without a job two months later.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything,” Klopp said in a club interview back in January ahead of his Liverpool departure. “But the fact that I am still making this decision shows that I am convinced it is the right one.”
“It is that I am running out of energy,” he added. “I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.”
Klopp is considered one of the top managers in the market with eight trophies won at Anfield during his 10-year tenure. He led the Reds to the UEFA Champions League title in 2018-19 before securing Liverpool’s first league title in the English Premier League era.
Prior to managing Liverpool, Klopp coached Borussia Dortmund in Germany. He achieved five trophies with the team, including two Bundesliga crowns and a German Super Cup.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has already started the search for a new USMNT head coach following Gregg Berhalter’s departure on Wednesday. Berhalter served as head coach for two separate tenures, winning 44 out of 74 matches in charge.
The coaching change comes after the USMNT was eliminated from the Copa America in the group stage.
Upcoming friendly matches against Canada and New Zealand are scheduled for the USMNT in September.
