Tim Howard believes he could '100%' convince Jurgen Klopp to take USMNT job
The USMNT reached a new low on Monday, crashing out of the Copa America group stage due to losses to Panama and Uruguay. Many expected the United States to at least advance to the quarterfinals before the tournament began. But Gregg Berhalter and the players were not able to deliver, bringing questions about the program’s future.
Berhalter’s job is certainly in jeopardy, at least from the outside. Multiple former players have called for the United States Soccer Federation to not only from Berhalter and find a big name to replace him. Tim Howard is the latest and suggests former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as the replacement.
The one pause on Klopp is his recent stepping away from Liverpool, claiming he needs a break from the sport. Howard is quite confident he could convince Klopp to join the USMNT, though.
“I know Klopp has only been retired a few weeks and I know he wants a break,” Howard said via the Daily Mail. “But if we sat around his villa in Spain, I think I could lure him over here. 100 percent.”
US Soccer arguably will not have a more important summer than 2026, hosting the World Cup on home soil. A breakthrough will be expected in a big way — no matter the manager — going deep in the tournament and potentially accomplishing something no USMNT team ever has.
The group of players available is thought to be capable of getting the job done. Dubbed “the golden generation” due to the amount of talent at such a young age, the starting lineup against Uruguay on Monday consisted of eight players aged 25 or younger. Plenty play for big clubs in Europe too, headlined by Christian Pulisic having a great season for AC Milan in Italy.
Howard believes Klopp can work with the squad for two years, manufacture improvements, and make serious noise at the World Cup.
“The money is certainly there,” Howard said. “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.”
Klopp has not expressed the desire to be an international manager recently. He has consistently been linked with his home country, Germany, in years past. The DFB reportedly made a push for Klopp ahead of the 2024 Euros, a tournament the Germans are currently hosting.
Berhalter has not been fired by the USSF either, with a “review” of the Copa America occurring in the coming weeks.
However, Howard has faith in his sales ability for the USMNT. A simple meeting in Klopp’s villa in Spain could be enough to acquire one of the world’s best managers.