Alexi Lalas has joined Tim Howard in calling for the USMNT to attempt to appoint Jurgen Klopp as their new manager.
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USMNT eliminated from Copa AmericaGregg Berhalter's future hanging by a threadHoward and Lalas want Klopp appointedWHAT HAPPENED?
The USMNT were humiliated at the Copa America, losing to both Panama and Uruguay and being eliminated during the group stages. As a result, Berhalter's job is hanging by a thread – although he hasn't officially been sacked – and Lalas has joined Howard in calling for the ambitious appointment of ex-Liverpool boss Klopp.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The USMNT must find a manager capable of guiding them into the 2026 World Cup on home soil, and Lalas believes that Klopp may be tempted to attempt to "inspire a nation". Klopp, of course, left Liverpool at the end of the season.
WHAT LALAS SAID
Speaking to The Post, Lalas said: "We're in a situation now that's unique.
“If the World Cup in 2026 wasn’t in the United States, I think the conversation would be a little bit different, but because of this train that is barreling down the tracks and coming at us — in a good way, because it’s going to be incredible — I think the conversation changes a little bit. Over the next two years, you need somebody who is going to ignite and inspire a nation that we are headed in the right direction. You need a bigger-than-life personality.
"If you’re not going to go big, it flies in the face of what America is — we want big, we want bold, and dare I say we want arrogant in the things that we do, in particular, in terms of maximizing the summer of 2026. If you’re not going to do it now, then when are you?
“Someone like Jurgen Klopp is out there. I know people scoff at the idea of someone with his pedigree and background would ever consider doing this. But until you have the conversation, you don’t know.”
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
The USMNT will first embark on a period of soul-searching after their disastrous Copa campaign. Their next fixture comes September 8 against Canada.