OK, Berhalter qualifies for Qatar, and they go out in the group stage.
Berhalter clearly can't be retained. Who are the European candidates? What characteristics would we like them to have to fit our style of play?
Some discussion, for fun.
Point 1 - English speaking - yes or no? I think "yes", not that it has to be their first language, but they have to (a) get their ideas across on the pitch, and ((b) have to be able to deal with the media in a convincing fashion.
Point 2 - Should they know MLS? It's our feeding ground for the national team, and even if you point to all the European based players these days, a lot of them were discovered by Euro teams' connections to academies in the US.
Point 3 - How unique is CONCACAF qualifying? It seems biased as hell to me, full of crappy fields and unfair gamesmanship. Do the nasty parts of European rivalries prepare coaches for an away game where bags of piss are being thrown at your players on the corners? Are any South American leagues like that? I would guess "yes". So maybe somebody with CONMEBOL experience could anticipate the worst that we encounter in qualifying.
Point 4 - As a national team, we have moved beyond the bunker and counter style of play we played out of necessity from 1994 to 2018. It's a different game now. Even Mourinho can't win (at least in England) with that style of football anymore. Bob Bradley or Bruce Arena are of that school, so don't even mention them.
So who fits that profile? Who might be interested in a couple years' time? Who might fit? A list of names, and some random thoughts. Feel free to add your own.
EDDIE HOWE - English speaking, plays expansive football, still able to compete at a relatively high level in the Premier League with decidedly less talented teams. Might be available, might make a good choice for several years, like Roberto Martinez was for Belgium. Similar profile: Graham Potter, Brighton, although I think if Newcastle doesn't avoid the drop, Eddie Howe may be available, while Potter may be looking for better Premier League jobs.
ANTONIO CONTE - Say what you want about his temper, he wouldn't be able to argue with the front office about their lack of investment in the squad! LOL Tactically, this guy is in the top 5 in the world, and has already managed his beloved Italia. I could see him making the US tight at the back, and teaching the midfield and attack the proper rotations, etc. Where to be there, when to arrive. He's great at that stuff. Chelsea players used to get bored with the repetition in practice, but for a national team, where he sees them less often, his structure approach is amazing. Just look at how Italy did under him. He knows the 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 better than anybody, probably in history, and look how he transformed the Premier League in just a season from a 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2 league to everyone suddenly experimenting with 3 in the back. Brilliant coach. We could challenge with him, IMO.
JULIAN NAGELSMAN / JESSE MARSCH - Nagelsman might be available in a couple years (Marsch perhaps sooner, if he doesn't turn thing around ...). Coaches in a similar style, both young and upcoming. I know you mostly think these kinds of coaches are out of reach. But let's just say one of them takes the job and then wins the WORLD CUP WITH AMERiCA. You don't think that guy can write his own ticket for the rest of his career? And what's the downside? Nobody expects us to win, even on home soil? I think it comes down to how much our European talent continues to impress a global audience. I think the overall respect for MLS is growing, as it becomes more international. As the financial rules loosen (as they sell more promising players to Europe ...), the quality of players will continue to improve, and the qualify of our player pool.
Any and all thoughts are welcome. Judgment free zone. We're not all football experts here, we're just fans with opinions.
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