Next Coach

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by nbarbour, Dec 3, 2022.

  1. Step Over

    Step Over Member

    Oct 18, 2008
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I can see the credibility side maybe being an issue for sure. I know nothing about Schmetzer's playing career except from Wikipedia but, comparing to our top players coahes like Curtain, Marsch, Bradley, and Arena never accomplished that much on that side. Does seem like Schmetzer spent his whole playing and coaching in Seattle so that's not a plus. I don't know the perfect no brainer option but, seems he should in consideration. It seems Berhalter learned and improved over time it just seems with any coaching change we need someone with that experience already to adapt to a multitude of in game tactic changes. That's the big area where I think Berhalter struggled.

    So whoever it is should have at least a resume of coaching success over many years. I think someone like Cherundelo could some day be that but, it's too soon for him.
     
  2. MarioKempes

    MarioKempes Member+

    Real Madrid, DC United, anywhere Pulisic plays
    Aug 3, 2000
    Proxima Centauri
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Paulo Bento's English


    His contract expires after the World Cup and his salary is $1.35 million per year, slightly more than Berhalter's $1.3 million.
     
  3. TrustingtheProcess

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Jun 11, 2021
    Philadelphia, USA
    I do like the idea of an American coaching the team but if we are talking about pipe dreams mine would be Pep Guardiola.

    He has expressed interest in the USMNT in the past and previously said he was going to take a break from club soccer in 2023, don't know if that is still the case though.

    If Citeh wins the UCL this year I can see it happening.

    /obviously he would need to show pretty concrete interest this winter for us to go with an interim coach until the summer.
     
    Pegasus and Cynical US fan repped this.
  4. JUnionFan

    JUnionFan Member+

    Philadelphia Union
    United States
    Sep 30, 2020
    I do think, pipe dream here, that a clear world class super star manager like that would be the only way we go with a non American.
     
    Pegasus and TrustingtheProcess repped this.
  5. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don’t think we have to have an American, but it’s hard to project which international coaches would be interested in the job. And there are also some international coaches who are very good coaches, but who wouldn’t be a good fit (Tuchel is a good example).
     
    JUnionFan repped this.
  6. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    knowledge of the US soccer landscape has to be a pre-req...cant imagine low has much of that
     
    dspence2311 repped this.
  7. Step Over

    Step Over Member

    Oct 18, 2008
    Atlanta
    Club:
    Atlanta
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #107 Step Over, Dec 4, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2022
    Pep would be my pipe dream coach also, like you said he has expressed interest in coaching the US and lived here, so not entirely impossible. Like you said I think if Man City wins the UCL that may increase the chance. With Halaand the last piece to his puzzle he may wait out until he proves he can win UCL with more than one club.

    Second pipe dream would be Klopp but, with Germany's struggles if he goes to International coaching it's probably with Germany.

    Don't know their contact situation but, on top of them being pipe dreams I doubt the US would buy out their contacts on top of whatever wages they were seeking.
     
    TrustingtheProcess repped this.
  8. porkrind

    porkrind Member+

    Quakes
    United States
    Sep 27, 2001
    Bostonia
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Pep
    The Special One
    LvG
    Loew

    Those are my choices if we're going int'l. For Americans, I see a few choices, none of which are super exciting, but I wouldn't hate the choice if it's Marsch, Curtin, Schmetzer, Cherundolo, Vanney, or even Perez. If I squint really hard, I could see Landon as a possibility.

    If there's one characteristic I would value above all others, it would be previous advancement to the knockout rounds of the UCL, Euros, or WC (edit to add: advancement in Copa America). We need a proven tournament coach. If they advanced as a captain or senior player of the team, that's almost just as valuable, IMHO.

    Using the criteria above, that limits the American selection to Cherundolo, Vanney, and Landon. And of those, I'd most seriously consider Cherundolo and Vanney, with a slight preference for Cherundolo. Say what you will about Berhalter, his previous WC experience was a plus.

    And if we can't get someone noticeably better - and I can't believe I'm about to write these words - we should just stick with Berhalter.
     
  9. Marko72

    Marko72 Member+

    Aug 30, 2005
    New York
    No. I'm saying that he is one of a pool of the most obvious candidates that would make sense. In his case, however, I think his resume is still light. One successful season isn't much to go on. But he would unquestionably be a better choice than someone like Pirlo. That's just plain stupid.
     
    coldfusion and Editor In Chimp repped this.
  10. Saltenya94

    Saltenya94 Member

    Jul 29, 2003
    Brooklyn
    Club:
    DC United
    I agree Marcelo Gallardo would be an excellent choice. He has done a top job at coaching some very athletic young players at River Plate. His players have sung his praises. All good signs. It would be a perfect match for our young squad.

    He also did a stint at MLS with DC United in 2009.

    But prob. won't happen. Soccer commentators who follow Gallardo seem to say he will prob. go to a European club. Makes sense. Big contract, tons of support, resources, he might even want the media scrutiny & pressure. Gallardo excels in tough environments, etc.

    I just don't see him coming to the USMNT. At least not till he coaches a few other nations first.
     
    xbhaskarx and Burr repped this.
  11. eagercolin

    eagercolin Member

    Metro
    United States
    Aug 25, 2017
    Buffalo
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, that's what you're looking for. That's why you tout a neophyte like Pirlo (whose entire coaching resume comprises two seasons of club ball) over a more experienced candidate like Cherundolo.
     
  12. CU soccer

    CU soccer Member

    Mar 28, 2005
    Panama City Beach
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It's a long shot, but I could see Marsch finishing out the EPL season with Leeds then coming over.

    Have GGG, or an assistant, get us through the Nations League BS.

    I can hope, anyway.
     
    TheHoustonHoyaFan repped this.
  13. dspence2311

    dspence2311 Member+

    Oct 14, 2007
    I used to think that, but I think he has become more flexible by necessity. But I share your misgivings. I don’t want any of elite talents omitted because of dedication to one way of playing. I want to join the ranks of teams that can play more than one way well, and have the flexibility to shape the game plan to the opponent (at least better than we can do now).
     
    bakerkdb repped this.
  14. iad_22201

    iad_22201 Member+

    Jan 2, 2009
    Washington, DC
    Club:
    Fulham FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #114 iad_22201, Dec 4, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2022
    Fair enough, but for me I've seen nothing in the rest of his top flight coaching career to suggest that that result in 2018 was anything more than a one off product of some combination of exceptional talent/good fortune (speaking of fortune, Belgium needed an injury time goal to escape the Rd of 16 in that tournament after going down 2-0 to Japan). All the other available evidence, his results at Everton and Wigan and everything else from his Belgium tenure, shows me that teams he manages underachieve/get worse and you'd be taking an incredible risk hiring him before a WC we're hosting.*

    No, France most certainly was not an "absurd" favorite.

    *I also remember Susaeta (when he was still posting here) saying that Roberto's style could pretty quickly grate on players
     
    nobody repped this.
  15. Kirium

    Kirium Member

    Jun 18, 2007
    Edmond, OK
    I thought about Low and he's very much the anti-Jurgen from my understanding. Jurgen was more youth development system, etc. where Low is more a tactician. I could totally be wrong, but that was always my understanding.

    I think a tactician is what is definitely needed for the USMNT and who knows, Low may want to show up Jurgen too.

    Interesting to ponder.
     
  16. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    The only hope as I see it for getting Gallardo, as he is soon done with River Plate and has his eyes set on moving abroad, is to get him before he lands in Europe. While unlikely, it is more likely than after he arrives and settles in Europe. And he'd get to learn English whereas now I believe he's fluent in Spanish and French.

    But I thought I would drop a name of a possible available high level tactician as everyone else is naming MLS coaches or the obvious retreads.

    As an aside, I don't know why people keep mentioning Marsch. Do they not watch Leeds? He is one of the most stubborn and naive tacticians I've ever seen. It's what is gonna cost him his job. He refuses to make changes as he leaks goals like he gets paid for it and leaves his CB's out to dry. And he does it with our NT captain at DM.

    Marsch's system IMO is terrible for international football. At its root it sets your team up for lethal counterattacks against, when facing any higher quality opponent. And it doesn't protect leads. He's a really poor in-game manager as well. Delayed subs. Wrong subs. Doesn't adjust.

    I'm not gonna say he's the worst option. He's an American coach who is learning at a high level. But his system in a NT setting sees us lose 5-2 to Holland yesterday instead of 2-0.
     
  17. jeffmefun

    jeffmefun Member

    Apr 26, 2001
    Quakeland, CA
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    LVG has a very aggressive case of prostate cancer.
    https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/soc...cup-2022-netherlands/mss1aafn6vhypict7anbdcrv

    If Bielsa's a real consideration, the federation will need to move quickly, given links to Uruguay & Japan:
    https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...s-marcelo-bielsa-after-world-cup-exit-3940886
    https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...ielsa-among-candidates-for-japan-manager.html

    The post-game reax episode of Men In Blazers has a good discussion of the various forces at work for chosing our next manager:
    - We're hosting
    - Marketing might call for an American manager
    - Hopefully, we don't dally in moving on
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...smnt-instant-reax/id908407811?i=1000588630513
     
  18. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    #118 jond, Dec 4, 2022
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2022
    Knowledge of the US soccer landscape is overrated IMO.

    US soccer has scouting networks all over with lists of our top 20, 30 and 50 players and their profiles. They are always monitoring our players and the depth chart. They're watching games both in person and on tablets. You can have assistants who do it 24/7.

    The most important factor is man-management and the ability to get the team to buy-in to the vision. And frankly, as more of our players are playing across Europe in various top leagues, that will become a greater challenge for a coach who does not have experience managing top league and UCL level players.

    Like it or not, a coach's pedigree become a factor at a certain point in the locker room. No different than various companies in the corporate world if an exec with little pedigree is suddenly put in charge.

    I'm not saying point blank, don't hire an American. What I am saying is if you take the stance of American only, well you've cut off 95%+ of coaching options in the world's game. And that seems like a questionable approach.
     
    Pegasus, juveeer, nobody and 10 others repped this.
  19. adam tash

    adam tash Member+

    Jul 12, 2013
    Barcelona, Spain
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    idk I just feel like the US soccer scene is so dispersed and unique...an outsider with all the pedigree is going to run into issues, most likely....klinsmann struggled (but he is just a weirdo in many ways)....I hear what youre saying but I still think knowledge and experience with the sport in the US would be an advantage to a coach of the USMNT. but you're right it doesnt necessarily have to matter, depending on the person.
     
  20. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    Well, that would be amazing. Fans would love him until he called all our players shit and played the defensive ball all the time. Then we'd shithouse out a Copa America title on consecutive 1-0s.

    Mourinho is too much of a wildcard at this point even if he wanted it. Things go very bad with him in the locker room.
     
    acima, Boysinblue, gomichigan24 and 4 others repped this.
  21. Kirium

    Kirium Member

    Jun 18, 2007
    Edmond, OK
    All things being equal I think they need to find the best coach they can find, regardless of what nationality he is.

    you're going to get massive attention on WC 2026 with it being in the USA (mostly). The nucleus of these current players should be back and at prime age. This is probably the best chance in a VERY long time, if ever, of advancing deeper into the tournament.

    If you combine winning more games with the interest that the US public is going to have then you create an even bigger buzz among American Athletes for soccer in the US.

    I believe the US should do whatever it takes to get the BEST coach to help guide that.

    I just am very pessimistic about the process, especially with some saying the US marketing campaign wants a US coach. While I"m not saying the best can't be an US coach, as was said before if you insist it is for some stupid reason then you eliminate 95% of the pool of coaches. again this was said before , I just completely agree.
     
  22. gogorath

    gogorath Member+

    None
    United States
    May 12, 2019
    Agree. Here's what you need:
    • A willingness to learn the American soccer landscape. It's not rocket science, but you do have to put in the work
    • A willingness to live with the player pool as is. I would not want a coach who had not scouted us. I don't want Guardiola and then have him come in and not realize we have like one player who can play the way he wants. Make sure they come in with a plan.
    • A willingness to understand young American players, the culture and what motivates them. If you are a different culture, older or dismissive of this, I am concerned. I do think Mourinho-esque public mind games or SA-style micromanaging work with this squad, period, but definitely not without soft skills
    • An ability to manage long and short term goals of the Federation within your job description. We may not need Berhalter's level of engagement with the youth teams, but the head coach is absolutely a PR position and absolutely a recruiting position. These can't be delegated and you can't burn a bunch of bridges because you can't be damned to be mildly diplomatic
    That's not that hard. But it does exclude a lot of people with giant egos, and that's not a small chunk of coaches.
     
  23. TheHoustonHoyaFan

    Oct 14, 2011
    Houston
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Tactician is supposed to be Berhalter's strength, right?
     
  24. Excellency

    Excellency Member+

    LA Galaxy
    United States
    Nov 4, 2011
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    I liked what he said in the run up to the WC. He said what he would be concentrating on would be finding the way to get the ball to Pulisic's feet.
     
    Winoman and porkrind repped this.
  25. porkrind

    porkrind Member+

    Quakes
    United States
    Sep 27, 2001
    Bostonia
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    True... there's a reason he doesn't tend to last very long. Similar to Tuchel in that respect. But for someone of that caliber, who's won major championships, is it possible to find someone who doesn't have an overbearing ego? But I have to say, the docuseries of his tenure as an American coach has me kind of salivating, TBH. Like "Welcome to Wrexham" except without all the happiness lol
     
    gogorath repped this.

Share This Page