Tim Howard outlines his ‘compelling argument’ to Jurgen Klopp to replace Gregg Berhalter as USMNT head coach

After the disappointing elimination of the US men’s national team from the Copa America, calls for a rift with national coach Gregg Berhalter are growing louder.

A mainstay of American soccer has decided to throw in his two cents after Monday’s 1-0 loss to Uruguay sealed the United States’ group-stage exit. Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard believes he could “make a very compelling argument for Jurgen Klopp to take over the USMNT,” he wrote in a guest column for the Daily Mail.

The appointment of the former Liverpool manager would be a major step, but no changes have yet been made at the top.

With the 2026 World Cup looming, the pressure is mounting on US Soccer. Any new head coach would have a brief run-in before next year’s tournament on home soil, but the team’s disappointing record under Berhalter relative to its talent has many yearning for new blood.

The question remains: would a big name like Klopp even consider the job? But a prominent voice in Howard advocating the move can only help. Here’s more of what the goalkeeper-turned-analyst had to say about hiring one of Europe’s most prominent coaches.

MORE: Candidates to replace Gregg Berhalter as USMNT head coach

What did Tim Howard say about Jurgen Klopp?

Howard was not very cautious in his column about his proposal to hire Klopp.

“If I were the boss of US Soccer right now, I’d be on my way to the airport” to find Klopp and pitch the idea to him, he wrote. Howard sees the need for fresh eyes as urgent and the Copa America elimination was the final straw.

Howard also emphasized the appeal of the USMNT job, citing the money and working with “a young group of players who can play progressive, progressive football — exactly like (Klopp’s) Liverpool teams.”

The “golden generation”, as many call the group of players in the USMNT, is slowly losing its appeal, according to Howard. With the Copa behind them, they will not have a major victory before the World Cup.

US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has promised to conduct a “comprehensive evaluation” of the team following its tournament performance. Howard believes coaching should be at the top of the priority list, he wrote.

In short, the famous goalkeeper used his column to call on US Soccer to send him to Spain to find Klopp and present the idea, concluding his piece with the following: “I’m packing my swimsuit and going to Spain. Just call me.”

Which team is coached by Jurgen Klopp?

Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season after almost a decade with the team. He led Liverpool to a Champions League crown and a Premier League title during his tenure, as well as a UEFA Super Cup and an FA Cup.

His overall record as Liverpool manager stood at 304-85-100, with a 62% win rate. Despite stepping down as manager of the Premier League club, Klopp made it clear that he still intends to work, although it remains to be seen for which team.

In January, The Athletic reported that Klopp would only consider international management for Germany or the USMNT, so the prospect of him coming to the United States is not entirely out of the question.

MORE: Gregg Berhalter insists he’s still the man to lead USMNT

Will USMNT Fire Gregg Berhalter?

There have been conflicting reports over Gregg Berhalter’s job security over the past week of Copa America matches. Former U.S. international Eric Wynalda, who works as an analyst for Sirius XM and ESPN, reported days before the final group match that Berhalter would remain in charge regardless of the result against Uruguay.

However, Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that after speaking with former USMNT player and US Soccer Athlete Council member Stu Holden and other “well-connected sources within the American soccer landscape,” Crocker would indeed “make the move if the results warrant it.”

Regardless of the rumors, this year’s Copa was a huge disappointment for all fans of the US national team and another blow to the hopes of a successful 2026 World Cup, on home soil. A stunning loss to Panama and a narrow defeat to Bolivia led to the loss to Uruguay, and the team has little left to sell their “golden generation” label at this point.