The USMNT continued their dominance over archrivals Mexico as they easily swept them aside in a 3-0 drubbing in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League.
They did so despite being on their interim’s interim manager in B.J. Gallaghan as the United States searched for a permanent hire.
That wait appears to be over as an all-too familiar face is set to take, or retake, the reins.
During the match against Mexico, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio and Pablo Maurer broke the news that Gregg Berhalter was set to be reappointed as USMNT manager.
BREAKING: Gregg Berhalter is set to return as manager of the #USMNT, according to multiple sources briefed on the negotiations.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) June 16, 2023
Deal still being finalized, but return is imminent.
Reporting with @MLSist: https://t.co/TnDBwhFB5a
Berhalter was in charge during the last World Cup cycle in Qatar where he led the team out of the group stage before falling to the Netherlands in the round of 16.
Controversy surrounding him popped up shortly thereafter regarding the usage, or lack thereof, of Gio Reyna. In a conference, Berhalter revealed some of what led to his decision in not using Reyna and the issues, for lack of a better word in the dressing room. Essentially, he was airing dirty laundry but did so at an event where he believed it would be kept in-house.
Later, it was revealed that Claudio Reyna and his wife, Gio’s parents, attempted to get Berhalter fired by bringing up a domestic abuse incident involving Gregg and his then girlfriend, now wife.
It all became unnecessary drama and while his contract as USMNT manager had run out, his name was still in the mix for a possible return.
His reappointment comes as a little bit of a surprise as well because just the day before the news broke, he was being linked with the Club America job in Mexico.
Suffice to say, his impending return has resulted in mixed reactions. Some believe he is the right man to steer the ship once again as he provides a form of consistency and, despite the Reyna incident, is generally well liked by his players.
On the other hand, perhaps his time with the USMNT was over and it was time for someone better to take over if the U.S. was to take that next step. Some also found it ludicrous the federation hired an outside agency to search for a replacement only to end up with the same manager.
Hiring a search firm to hire a sporting director for the purpose of hiring a new coach only to hire the coach that didn’t get their contract renewed months earlier is fantastically illogical.
— Kyle Bonagura (@BonaguraESPN) June 16, 2023
Regardless of one’s opinion of Berhalter, he is coming back to an ideal scenario. This USMNT squad is perhaps the most talented squad in history considering the number of players playing in Europe. Not only that but there appears to be a cohesion in the group, with everyone knowing their role on the pitch and executing it well.
Of course, there are still going to be those voices that are going to be adamant about the return of Berhalter. But with they way the USMNT is set up, they are going to be the dominant force in Concacaf for the foreseeable future regardless of who is managing them.