Will Gregg Berhalter be Fired? Who is Gregg Berhalter?

Will Gregg Berhalter Be Fired?

Gregg Berhalter may or may not get fired. There's ongoing speculation about Gregg Berhalter's future with the USMNT, fueled by discussions among fans and media. Despite a decent overall record of 44-17-13, dissatisfaction has grown, especially highlighted by struggles in the Copa America.

Whether he'll be fired remains uncertain, pending official word from US Soccer. If a change occurs, potential successors are being considered, though no specific names have been confirmed. The debate reflects concerns over team performance and the need for new leadership to potentially guide the national team forward.

Who is Gregg Berhalter?

Gregg Berhalter is an American soccer coach and former player. He's currently in charge of the United States men's national soccer team. He's unique because he's the first person from the U.S. to be both a player and head coach in the FIFA World Cup. Berhalter first coached the national team from 2018 to 2022.

After his contract ended, other coaches filled in temporarily until he was rehired on June 16, 2023. Before coaching the national team, he coached teams like Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer and Hammarby in Sweden. He also worked as an assistant coach for LA Galaxy.

Gregg Berhalter Replacements

If Gregg Berhalter is fired, several names are being considered to coach the USMNT:

Pellegrino Matarazzo

A New Jersey native coaching in Germany with TSG Hoffenheim. Known for a defensive style but lacks experience in major competitions.

David Wagner

A former dual-national coach who has managed in England, notably with Huddersfield Town, achieving promotion to the Premier League. Has a solid managerial record but recently faced challenges at Norwich City.

Wilfried Nancy

Impressed in MLS with CF Montréal and Columbus Crew, known for tactical skill. Won the Canadian Championship and reached the CONCACAF Champions League final.

Jim Curtin

Head coach of the Philadelphia Union, experienced in developing USMNT players. Despite strong MLS performances, has yet to win major titles.

Marcelo Gallardo

Argentinian coach with a successful tenure at River Plate, winning numerous championships. Available after a stint in Saudi Arabia, known for his expertise in knockout competitions and eyeing European opportunities after the World Cup.

These coaches bring different strengths and experiences, potentially reshaping the USMNT's direction if Berhalter's tenure ends.

Gregg Berhalter Playing Career

He played soccer at Saint Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, alongside Claudio Reyna, and later for the North Carolina Tar Heels at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Berhalter left college early to play professionally.

He started his pro career in Europe, playing for teams like Zwolle, Sparta Rotterdam, and Crystal Palace in the Netherlands and England. In Germany, he joined Energie Cottbus and later 1860 Munich, where he became team captain. After 15 years in Europe, he returned to the U.S. to play for Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy in 2009, helping the team improve defensively and win championships.

Internationally, Berhalter played for the U.S. national team from 1994, appearing in tournaments like the 2002 World Cup and 2006 World Cup. He retired from professional soccer in 2011 after a successful career both in Europe and the U.S.

Gregg Berhalter Coaching Career

Gregg Berhalter started coaching Hammarby in Sweden after being an assistant coach at LA Galaxy. He was the first American-born manager to lead a European team. Despite improving Hammarby's position in his first year, he was let go in 2013 due to concerns about the team's attacking style.

Moving to Columbus Crew, he served as both sporting director and head coach from 2013, guiding the team to several playoff appearances and a MLS Cup final in 2015.

Berhalter took over as head coach of the U.S. national team in 2018, achieving early success with victories over Panama and other teams. He led the U.S. to win the Nations League and the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2021, and to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup where they reached the round of 16.

Known for developing young talents like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, Berhalter favors a possession-based style of play. After his contract expired in 2022, he returned in 2023, aiming to lead the U.S. through the 2026 World Cup, coinciding with their hosting alongside Mexico and Canada.

Gregg Berhalter Family

Gregg Matthew Berhalter was born on August 1, 1973, in Englewood, New Jersey, and grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. The details about his parents are not known. He has a brother named Jay Berhalter.

Jay Berhalter is an executive in Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing, serving as the executive vice president of business development since 2022. Before this, he held roles within U.S. Soccer, including chief commercial officer, until 2020.

Gregg Berhalter lives in the Lake View neighborhood of Chicago with his wife Rosalind. They have four children together. One of his sons, Sebastian, plays soccer professionally for the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Gregg Berhalter Salary

In 2022, Gregg Berhalter, the coach of the U.S. men’s soccer team, earned a total of $2,291,136. This amount includes a base salary of $1,391,136 and $900,000 in bonuses. The bonuses were awarded for the team's achievements, including qualifying for the World Cup and reaching the second round of the tournament.

Berhalter's salary was disclosed in a tax filing by the U.S. Soccer Federation. His contract expired at the end of 2022, but he was rehired in June 2023.

Firing Berhalter could be costly for the federation due to his contract running until 2026. Berhalter earns about $1.6 million per year, and hiring a new coach would likely incur additional expenses.