The United States remains without a coach less than two years away from hosting the 2026 World Cup following the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter. The decision is key for the future of a USMNT forced to raise the level shown in the Copa America, where it was unable to get out of the group stage.

Several candidates (some of them unattainable, such as Jrgen Klopp) have been mentioned for the job, but now there is one name that stands out above the rest: Gareth Southgate.

The English coach will not remain in charge of England, whom he has led to two European Championship finals.

Alexi Lalas, is a player of the United States national team, has given his opinion on the matter and said. “There is no problem with Southgate for the U.S. national team. I would finally give him a chance to win something,” he said with some irony.

Contacts between USMNT and Southgate

According to various reports, the U.S. Soccer Federation has already sounded out the former England coach to see if he would be willing to take the job.

They are looking for an experienced coach, and Southgate has a strong resume in Europe. Financially, the operation would be feasible. All that remains to be seen is whether Southgate would prefer to take a break, accept other offers from English clubs in the future or take the reins of another national team, as the United States has suggested.

The challenge for the next USMNT coach is important: to compete and go as far as possible in the 2026 World Cup, or at least not to worsen the participation of the United States in 1994, where they lost in the round of 16 to Brazil, the eventual champions of the tournament after beating Italy on penalties.