The US soccer federation is taking ‘time to reflect’ before offering coach Gregg Berhalter a new contract following the team’s World Cup exit.
Berhalter’s existing deal will expire at the end of the year and it had been reported that the American boss was set for fresh contract talks.
However, it appears the USSF is not prepared to rush into a new deal with the manager, who led the USMNT to its first World Cup since 2014 before crashing out in the last 16 in Qatar.
The USSF is taking ‘time to reflect’ before offering coach Gregg Berhalter a new contract
The USA crashed out of the World Cup in the Round of 16 in a 3-1 defeat to Holland
Following rumors the coach and organization were to start discussions soon, the federation released a statement, insisting it was still determining its next steps.
‘As we always do after a major tournament, we are taking time to reflect,’ the statement from sporting director Earnie Stewart read, via Sam Stejskal.
‘We will conduct a full review with everyone involved as we determine our next steps.
‘We look forward to building off the performance in Qatar and preparing for the journey towards 2026.’
US Soccer sporting director Earnie Stewart said the federation will conduct a full review
The tournament in 2026 will of course be extra special for the USMNT as it is set to be held on home soil as the US co-hosts the World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
Earlier on Wednesday, ESPN reported that the USSF is soon set to begin discussions with Berhalter for a new deal.
The coach was hired on December 2, 2018, after a squad led by both Jurgen Klinsmann and Bruce Arena in CONCACAF qualifying failed to make that year’s World Cup.
There are plenty of qualified candidates who have ties to the United States, who could replace Berhalter.
It had previously been reported that the USSF is soon set to begin discussions with Berhalter
Looking abroad, Iran manager Carlos Quieroz has knowledge of what needs to be done and has been constantly linked with this job since the mid-1990s.
If an American is desired, then names like former VfB Stuttgart boss Pellegrino Matarazzo, Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin, and even Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch deserve consideration.
Berhalter got them back to the world stage, as they ultimately fell 3-1 to Holland in the Round of 16 last weekend after navigating a group with Wales, England and Iran.
If the 49-year-old does receive a fresh deal to coach the USA, he’ll likely be in charge for the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
USA captain and Leeds United star Tyler Adams sits on the field defected after Holland loss
However, Berhalter remaining with the USA is not a certainty and the coach is reportedly courting other options.
ESPN cited one source who ‘acknowledged it’s still very early in the process,’ while other sources told the outlet that Berhalter is interested in ‘exploring’ club opportunities in Europe.
A US Soccer spokesperson declined to comment on the report to DailyMail.com.
Holland outclassed the USMNT en route to a 3-1 knockout win last weekend in Qatar
Berhalter has both coaching and playing experience there, as he coached Swedish side Hammarby from 2011 to 2013.
He also spent time abroad with German clubs Energie Cottbus and 1860 Munich, as well as England’s Crystal Palace.
Berhalter’s USMNT qualified for the World Cup after winning the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup titles, and finishing third in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying behind Canada and Mexico.
The USA reached the Round of 16 by drawing Wales and England and beating Iran.
.