By Sergio Silva
19 Jul 2024, 21:10 PM EDT
The United States National Team is in no hurry, but they also do not want to let too much time pass without designating a successor. Gregg Berhalter American soccer authorities are still working to find a new national team coach, a position that appears to be occupied by Patrick Vieira.
The former French footballer would be the ideal candidate for the USMNT according to a report by TUDN, which indicates that both parties are in quite advanced talks after the technical director recently ended his time as the coach of Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
After German Jürgen Klopp’s refusalwho is now being tipped as a candidate to take over the reins of the England national team following the surprise departure of Gareth Southgate, is now targeting the 1998 World Cup winner with France.
PATRICK VIEIRA wants the vacant USMNT head coaching job, per @FabrizioRomano, who also reports Vieira’s former Arsenal & France teammate THIERRY HENRY is another candidate identified by US Soccer. 🇺🇸
Either get a yes from you, USMNT fans? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vITmqRWsWx
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) July 19, 2024
According to journalist Michele Giannone, there is still no agreement between the two parties, but the talks are going well, so we may soon finally know who will be in charge of taking Gregg Berhalter’s place.
The US coach was dismissed after the United States was eliminated early from the 2024 Copa América, which they hosted, and they said goodbye in the group stage with a record of one win and two losses, finishing third in Group C behind Uruguay and Panama.
Gregg Berhalter was in charge of the USMNT since late 2018, won the Gold Cup in 2021 and also qualified for Qatar 2022 where they said goodbye in the round of 16. The coach was temporarily removed from his position in 2023 after confessing that he had assaulted his partner in 1991.
Patrick Vieira is not the only one
The French coach is the best-placed candidate in the race to take over as head coach of the United States national team for the 2026 World Cup, but he is not the only one on the list being considered by USMNT officials.
In addition to the former footballer who shone with the English Arsenal, the name of the American Steve Cherundolo who currently plays for Los Angeles FC of Major League Soccer also appears, as well as Wilfried Nancy who does the same for the Columbus Crew.
Another name that has been mentioned among the possible candidates is the Frenchman Thierry Henry, who will be leading the French national team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games that start next weekend.
Keep reading:
– Alejandro Zendejas regrets the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter after the elimination in the 2024 Copa América and says he wants to return to the United States national team
– This was Gregg Berhalter’s reaction after the early elimination of the United States National Team in the 2024 Copa América
– Alexi Lalas hits the United States National Team after its surprising elimination in the group stage of the 2024 Copa América