Jurgen Klopp declines offer to coach United States national team

In recent developments, Jurgen Klopp has declined an initial offer from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to become the new manager of the men's national team. This offer came following the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter, with the USSF keen on securing Klopp's services as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Despite the interest, sources close to the talks revealed that Klopp expressed his desire to continue his break from football after stepping down from Liverpool just two months ago. Klopp's decision not to engage in formal discussions with the USSF comes after his successful nine-year tenure at Liverpool, where he led the team to multiple trophies, including the Champions League and their first league title in three decades. The German manager cited a need for a break from the day-to-day pressures of club coaching, indicating a potential interest in international football but ultimately opting against the opportunity in the United States. Meanwhile, Gregg Berhalter's departure from the US men's national team marks the end of his second stint as manager, which was cut short after a disappointing group-stage exit from the Copa America. Berhalter, who faced scrutiny over past conduct, had previously guided the team to the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup and a Concacaf Nations League Gold Cup victory. However, his recent struggles led to his removal, with US Soccer expressing gratitude for his contributions to the program. As the USSF continues its search for a new manager to lead the national team, the pressure mounts to improve performances ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the US will co-host with Canada and Mexico. With Klopp's rejection of the initial approach, the federation will need to explore other options to steer the team towards success on the international stage, amidst high expectations and aspirations for a strong showing in the upcoming tournament.