Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp REJECTS USMNT ahead of 2026 World Cup

US Soccer made an approach to the former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in order to ascertain his interest in taking the United States men’s national team coaching role. 

However, the German is understood to have DECLINED the opportunity to discuss the job further after initial contact according to reports in the Telegraph and the Athletic. 

Klopp, 57, left Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season after nearly nine years in charge and is intent on taking a break from football. 

Having been previously linked with a role within the German football federation, it looks like Klopp will not be swayed from his path. 

Over the course of his Liverpool career, Klopp led the club to their sixth Champions League / European Cup title as well as ending a three-decade wait for a Premier League title. 

He also won the Club World Cup, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup among other honours. 

US under pressure ahead of World Cup

Klopp was quickly identified by US Soccer as their No.1 choice to replace Gregg Berhalter after the American’s second spell in charge of the team came to an end after a disastrous Copa America. 

With the United States hosting the 2024 edition, the tournament was seen as a test run for the 2026 World Cup, which takes place in the USA, Canada and Mexico. 

The USMNT crashed out at the group stage, laying bare the challenges the side has got in getting competitive ahead of the World Cup. 

Berhalter led the US to two Concacaf Nations League titles as well as the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2021 and the team also reached the 2022 World Cup round of 16 under his tutelage. He left his role at the end of 2022. 

Klopp still wanted by USA

However, a second spell, which began in 2023, saw the US lose six of their 14 games under Berhalter and culminated in a poor showing at the Copa. 

That led US Soccer to approach Klopp but the organisation has been informed that his plans for a sabbatical have not changed at this juncture. 

Despite the setback, US Soccer has not given up hope of luring Klopp stateside before the tournament begins in 2026. 

Whoever takes the role will be under huge pressure to deliver performances and results at the 2026 showpiece event.