Chicago Fire hires former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter as director of football and head coach

The Chicago Fire announced Tuesday that they have hired Gregg Berhalter as director of football and head coach.

“After a thorough and detailed search involving a number of exceptional candidates, it became clear that Gregg Berhalter was the right choice to lead our sports operations,” Fire FC owner and chairman Joe Mansueto said in a statement. “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 past six years make him ideal for our vision for the club’s future.”

Before being hired into the fire department, Berhalter’s most recent job was with the U.S. National Football Team. He was fired in July after the team failed to advance out of the Copa America group stage but achieved success, most notably leading the USMNT back to the World Cup in 2022 after failing to qualify in 2018. , Berhalter coached the Columbus Crew.

Not many clubs use the one-man model for head coaching and football activities anymore. It has gone out of style over time, but de Brand believes it can work with Berhalter. According to The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio, Berhalter will “oversee all aspects of the Fire’s sporting operations” and report directly to Mansueto.