Gregg Berhalter lands surprise new job to reboot his career after USMNT storm

Today at 01:01 PM

Former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter is back in a managerial hotseat two months after he oversaw the nation’s disastrous Copa America campaign.

Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chicago Fire announced Berhalter would become their new director of football and head coach.

Berhalter is tasked with improving the fortunes of a team that has not made the playoffs in six seasons, with the drought highly likely to extend to a seventh as they occupy last place in the Eastern Conference.

The 51-year-old’s arrival means Frank Klopas, who is the Fire’s current head coach, will step down and transition into a new role as the club’s vice president of football.

"After a thorough and detailed search that included a number of exceptional candidates, it became clear that Gregg Berhalter was the right choice to lead our sporting operations," Chicago Fire owner and chairman Joe Mansueto said.

"His previous success in MLS, where he thrived in a dual role, and his experience leading the U.S. Men's National Team over the last six years make him an ideal fit for our vision for the Club moving forward.

"I'm confident that under his guidance, we will build on the foundation that has been laid over the past five years and be an organization that Chicago will be proud of and reflects the values of our city. I expect that Gregg will create a competitive culture and return our Club to its winning ways.”

It is Berhalter’s first managerial role since he departed the USMNT after a tumultuous second stint in charge.

He failed to steer the United States out of the group stage at the 2024 Copa America – a tournament they hosted – and was sacked nine days after a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay.

Berhalter was first appointed to the role in December 2018 after five successful years with the Columbus Crew in the MLS.

He began his tenure strongly with victories over bitter rivals Mexico in the first-ever Nations League final as well as in the final of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Berhalter guided the USMNT to the round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup but were eliminated by the Netherlands.

He was thrust back into the spotlight almost immediately after the tournament when it emerged the parents of Giovanni Reyna told the United States Soccer Federation about a domestic violence incident regarding the coach and his now-wife back in 1992.

The storm was sparked by Berhalter’s comments regarding Reyna in the wake of the World Cup in which he stated an unnamed player was on the brink of being sent home from Qatar due to their poor behaviour.

Reyna soon revealed the player was him in a lengthy Instagram post, while his father, Claudio, confirmed he ‘shared my frustrations about my son’s World Cup experience’ with USSF sporting director Earnie Stewart.

Danielle Reyna also said in a statement: “I thought it was especially unfair that Gio, who had apologized for acting immaturely about his playing time, was still being dragged through the mud when Gregg had asked for and received forgiveness for doing something so much worse at the same age.”

Berhalter’s contract subsequently expired on December 31 that year as his assistant Anthony Hudson was appointed as the interim boss.

However, Berhalter was brought back just six months later with a view to guiding the team through to the 2026 World Cup, which the United States would co-host with Canada and Mexico.

Instead Berhalter lasted 14 games after the Copa America humiliation, with seven wins, one draw and six losses.

The USMNT replaced the 51-year-old with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.