Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has insisted Gregg Berhalter should still be in contention for the USMNT head coach job as the search continues.
The United has been without a permanent coach since Berhalter’s contract was allowed to expire at the end of 2022 amid an investigation into a 1992 domestic violence incident that involved him and his wife Rosalind.
BJ Callaghan has been named United States head coach for the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup tournaments following the departure of interim boss Anthony Hudson last week.
As the USMNT’s search for Berhalter’s long-term replacement continues, the United States captain himself has claimed that he and his teammates believe their former coach should always be considered for a return.
‘I think [Berhalter] should be considered,” Pulisic said. “I think he did a great job with the team. He brought us a long way. I think a lot of people and a lot of guys in the team in particular would agree with that.
Christian Pulisic insisted Gregg Berhalter should still be in the running for USMNT head coach
USA have been without a permanent coach since Berhalter’s contract expired (pictured)
BJ Callaghan has been named United Nations League and Gold Cup head coach
There is still no update on who Berhalter’s permanent successor will be. The 49-year-old has been out of work since his contract with US Soccer expired after the 2022 World Cup and the Gio Reyna scandal broke.
Berhalter made headlines when details about his private life and that of his wife Rosalind were shared by former friends – and parents of American player Gio – Claudio and Danielle Reyna.
A wild few months of startling rumors and explosive developments began at the World Cup when Gio Reyna was nearly sent home for his perceived lack of effort, leading to shocking details being published and the start of a official investigation.
It all culminated in March when the results of the investigation were released, with details of Reyna’s parents sending years of text messages, emails and calls to American football chiefs complaining about the treatment and their son’s playing time in the international setup.
The investigation, ordered by US Soccer, related to an incident of domestic violence involving him and his now wife Rosalind in 1992.
Berhalter, who managed Hammarby in Sweden and Columbus Crew of MLS before moving to international management, admitted to kicking his wife after punching him in the face during an argument at a party at a bar when they were 18, and the report ruled it an “isolated incident”, with “no evidence to suggest” there were other issues.
The drama was thrown into the spotlight following the World Cup when it was revealed that the Reynas had informed the chiefs about the 1992 incident.
The report states that Reyna’s parents spoke to then-American football chief Earnie Stewart on the night of December 11, 2022 to release “information about Mr. Berhalter…that Ms. Reyna had known for decades and… information was being released at a time when it would be expected to discourage or influence the organization from offering Mr. Berhalter a contract extension.
US Soccer investigated an incident of domestic violence between Berhalter and his wife Rosalind
The American player’s parents, Gio – Claudio and Danielle Reyna have shared the details with US Soccer
Gio Reyna reportedly nearly fired from World Cup for perceived lack of effort
However, despite these actions, the Alston & Bird report indicates that they do not constitute blackmail or extortion.
Amid the managerial upheaval the United States faced in the months following the World Cup in Qatar, where they reached the round of 16 before suffering a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, Pulisic said insisted that he was used to dealing with change.
“I’ve had quite a few managers in my time, so I’ve dealt with change,” Pulisic said. ‘I mean [Callaghan] especially him, he was part of Gregg’s team. We know him well. We know what it is.
“He’s not going to come and try to change everything. He’s going to come, give new ideas, give his opinion and obviously make sure [to] led by everything with the team, with some of the management guys.
“We’ll have to be well prepared once the game comes. It’s not something any of us have seen before so we’ll just do our best and help him along the way. , because he helps us and tries to win some games.
Pulisic played under three managers at Chelsea last season after US owner Todd Boehly fired Thomas Tuchel at the start of the season, before poaching Brighton manager Graham Potter and also sacking him, Frank Lampard coaching the team until the end of the season as interim boss. fashion.
