EXCLUSIVETIM HOWARD: I will fly to Spain myself and talk Jurgen Klopp into coaching the USMNT... but this golden generation is to blame for Copa America calamity
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I am willing to help my country in any way I can. Proud to serve. So if I was in charge of US Soccer right now, I'd be on my way to the airport.
Why? Because I believe I could make a very compelling argument to Jurgen Klopp to take over the US Men’s National Team.
After the disappointment of Copa America, after the United States lost to Uruguay and exited at the group stages, I will personally fly to Spain. I mean it.
I know Klopp has only been retired a few weeks and I know he wants a break. But if we sat around his villa in Spain, I think I could lure him over here. 100 percent.
The money is certainly there. So my pitch would be simple: he has a young group of players who can play progressive, front-foot soccer - exactly like his Liverpool teams. And in two years’ time he can go to the biggest World Cup in history.
Jurgen Klopp is enjoying a break in Spain after leaving Liverpool at the end of last season
Gregg Berhalter is facing calls to go after the USMNT crashed out of Copa America on Monday
DailyMail.com columnist Tim Howard
Plus, it’s international soccer, so there’s no need to be on the training ground every day. He doesn’t even have to worry about qualification.
What do you think, Matt? That’s what I would do if I was running US Soccer, anyway.
If they decide that Gregg Berhalter cannot survive this Copa America campaign, if they decide another manager must lead the USMNT into a home World Cup in 2026, then they have to go for the jackpot.
It’s a risk, of course. No doubt some coaches will look at the US and see a payday and a comfy life. So you can’t just go for any big-name boss. You need someone with high expectations, a clear vision and a clear path. Someone who is demanding of themselves as well as their team. Someone like Jurgen Klopp.
Why not? US Soccer needs big change after this Copa America. Every option has to be on the table. Everything needs to be looked at. Because this is a huge missed opportunity for our team and for soccer in our country.
These are the best footballers that America has ever produced but they are slowly surrendering the tag of golden generation. They haven't had a signature win and they're not going to get it before the World Cup.
Klopp was recently spotted watching tennis at the Mallorca Championships in Palma
Christian Pulisic and his team were sent packing after two straight group-stage defeats
No doubt Berhalter will shoulder the responsibility. That's just the way sports works. But let’s be clear: a lot of the blame lies with the players.
I know that probably puts me in the minority. But I was part of the national team for 15 years and there were times when we played for a manager who wasn't very good. What did we do? We banded together and - in spite of that manager - we fought, we won big games and we punched above our weight.
We knew the manager was sugarcoating our situation. It became about pride. Guys didn’t look for excuses, they thought: to hell with the manager, this is about our country and my starting job.
So, as players, we would stay together after a meal. We would head to the bar or knock on each other's doors late at night and say: let's figure this out. The manager didn’t know this was going on and, being frank, he didn't deserve to be privy to these conversations.
A lot of times it just came down to fight and directness. I know people don't want to hear that - not now Pep Guardiola has won so much playing such beautiful soccer – but sometimes you have to roll your sleeves up, bite down on your mouthpiece, and go toe to toe with an opponent.
US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker (R) has promised another 'comprehensive review'
This current US team is not lacking when it comes to skill. But there needs to be a mentality shift.
Only then can they win these big games. Only then can they go to the next level.
Do you know what I wanted to hear last night? ‘This is on us. We were not in a difficult group. We should have advanced and we didn’t.’ Instead, with this group, the messages are always positive.
When you stumble, the outside world doesn't want to hear about processes. They want to hear about results. That doesn't mean you throw people under the bus. Sometimes you just have to say: that wasn’t good enough.
The same applies inside the camp. I hope there are some hard conversations going on this week. You have to have them. But I can’t help but wonder, with this group, are the hard questions being asked? Among the players. And to the manager.
I'm a very subordinate person, I will fall into line, I will be your foot soldier and follow your plan. But at a certain point, I have reputation and an ego and a character that says: this isn't good enough. So let’s talk.
Howard was part of United States teams who punched above their weight and won big games
I was there when Berhalter took over - we had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, he brought fresh ideas and challenged the players. He did a really good job.
But there were a lot of issues by the 2022 World Cup. US soccer held a review and rehired him. Now - whether they like it or not – they are at another crossroads and the World Cup is on the horizon.
US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has promised another 'comprehensive review' after 'our tournament performance fell short of our expectations.' Now they have to contemplate a decision they were hoping to avoid. You can’t change the players. Nor should you with this group.
They are the right age and there is a good balance to the team. But opportunities to prove they are our golden generation are running out.
I have sympathy with Gregg. But it is very difficult for a manager to lead over more than one World Cup cycle - the messages get stale.
So maybe it is time for US Soccer to look elsewhere. I’ll pack my swimming trunks and head to Spain. Just give me the call.
