B.J. Callaghan leads the betting at 3/1, followed by former LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo at 4/1. Pep Guardiola comes in third at 5/1, which would be a spectacular appointment if the Manchester City manager fancied taking on a new challenge. Pellegrino Matarazzo (6/1) and Mikey Varas (10/1) round out the next tier.
Things get particularly interesting further down the list. Thierry Henry and Roberto Martinez are both priced at 14/1, while Julian Nagelsmann comes in at 25/1.
Yes, the former Germany head
coach is apparently in the conversation. Nagelsmann was dismissed by Germany last summer, so he is technically available, but convincing a coach of his pedigree to take on the USMNT project would still be quite the achievement. Perhaps the U.S. Soccer Federation is hoping that a change of scenery and a home World Cup opportunity will be enough to get his attention. It would certainly be an upgrade from simply recycling the usual collection of familiar candidates!
Gareth Southgate is also listed at 25/1, followed by Didier Deschamps at 30/1. Jesse Marsch (30/1), Eddie Howe (40/1), and Antonio Conte (50/1) complete the list.
Of course, betting odds are not confirmation of interest, and some of these names are considerably more realistic than others. Here is the full list per CSB:
- B.J. Callaghan – 3/1
- Steve Cherundolo – 4/1
- Pep Guardiola – 5/1
- Pellegrino Matarazzo – 6/1
- Mikey Varas – 10/1
- Thierry Henry – 14/1
- Roberto Martinez – 14/1
- Julian Nagelsmann – 25/1
- Gareth Southgate – 25/1
- Didier Deschamps – 30/1
- Jesse Marsch – 30/1
- Eddie Howe – 40/1
- Antonio Conte – 50/1
The United States has home-field advantage at the 2026 World Cup, an increasingly talented player pool, and a genuine opportunity to make a statement on the international stage. The next appointment needs to be someone capable of maximizing that potential rather than simply being a recognizable name.
Guardiola would be the dream appointment, but there are plenty of intriguing alternatives. Nagelsmann would be a particularly ambitious option, even if his inclusion on this list raises a few eyebrows.
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