Reports surfaced on Thursday indicating that U.S. Soccer had initiated efforts to recruit Jürgen Klopp, following the announcement on Wednesday of Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal as head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).
U.S. Soccer, which has a connection to Klopp through U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) head coach Emma Hayes, had reached out to the former Liverpool manager regarding the possibility of taking on the role.
However, according to The Athletic, Klopp has turned down the approach from the federation, reiterating his desire to take a break from football after stepping down from his position at Liverpool earlier this year. Despite Klopp’s decision, the report notes that U.S. Soccer remains interested in pursuing the German manager.
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Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the Premier League season, citing exhaustion and burnout as his reasons for departing. He has since been seen enjoying his summer, taking time away from the sport for a much-needed rest.
“I am running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I would have to announce it at some point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again.”
While Klopp is considered one of the most high-profile candidates on U.S. Soccer’s radar, he is not the only one. The federation’s search for a new head coach is just beginning, spurred by the team’s disappointing performance at the Copa America, where the tournament hosts were eliminated in the group stage.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has expressed the federation’s goal of appointing a new coach by September, ahead of two friendly matches. The USMNT is scheduled to play against Canada on September 7, followed by a match against New Zealand three days later.