Jesse Marsch, Gregg Berhalter, Pellegrino Matarazzo, Bruce Arena and the top 10 American soccer managers - ranked

Teams managed: Dortmund II, Huddersfield Town, Schalke 04, Young Boys, Norwich City

Initial year as manager: 2011

Impact: Due to his German roots, David Wagner isn't often thought of as an American manager, but he was an U.S. international - making eight caps during the late '90s. Wagner entered the coaching ranks as a highly-regarded prospect, serving as a reserve coach under Jurgen Klopp between 2011 and 2015 at BVB.

He worked relative miracles at a low-budget Huddersfield Town side, getting them promoted in 2017. However, with the club struggling to maintain its Premier League status in 2019, he left by mutual consent.  

Fortune has not been on Wagner's side since. He led Schalke to a record winless streak of 16 matches between January and June 2020. He then took over Young Boys, where his side ended a consecutive run of league titles following his arrival. And his final stop came at Norwich, where he led American Josh Sargent and Co. to a sixth-place finish, but ultimately lost in the 2024 promotion playoffs in the semifinals.

He was sacked after the loss. Wagner, 53, has previously been linked with MLS jobs, and was recently named as RB Leipzig's head of youth development.

Teams managed: Philadelphia Union

Initial year as manager: 2014

Impact: Despite all of their success this season, it is still a bit surprising that the Union decided to move on from their long-serving manager during the offseason. Similar to Peter Vermes at Sporting KC, Jim Curtin built a culture that was foundation-setting for the club.

He was promoted as a 35-year-old and led the expansion team to several successes, including the Supporters' Shield in 2020 and three U.S. Open Cup wins. While the MLS Cup eluded him, he did take the Union on several deep runs in the playoffs, including the team's appearance in the 2022 MLS Cup finals - losing to LAFC. 

He is also the manager who gave top U.S. prospect Cavan Sullivan his professional debut in MLS. 

Teams managed: Las Vegas Lights, Los Angeles Football Club

Initial year as manager: 2021

Impact: Steve Cherundolo gets flak for what he isn't at LAFC, but let's focus on what he is: a pretty darn good manager at this level. In just four seasons as manager, he's won three major titles - MLS Cup and Supporters Shield in 2022 along with the U.S. Open Cup in 2024.

Yes, naysayers will mention he failed to get the most out of Olivier Giroud - who is back to his best in Ligue 1 - but Cherundolo, 46, has essentially overseen three rebuilds during his time at LAFC. He went from the Carlos Vega era to Denis Bouanga and is now ushering in a new one midseason with Son Heung-Min. That isn't easy to do.

He was speculated to be a candidate for the USMNT job prior to the U.S. Soccer selecting Mauricio Pochettino. Cherundolo is stepping away from LAFC, a decision that's likely for the best for both him and the club, to return to Germany. But his journey in management should not end in L.A. He has plenty of potential. 

Teams managed: Sporting KC

Initial year as manager: 2009

Impact: A Sporting KC legend as a player and manager, Peter Vermes helmed the club as manager for 16 years before the club parted ways with him earlier this year. Still, his impact on the franchise can't be overstated. 

He took a small market team and turned it into a MLS powerhouse, making the playoffs 11 times, winning the league title in 2013, along with three U.S. Open Cups. He also developed stars on his team that turned into major contributors on his team or went on to Europe on profitable transfers for the club, including Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Gianluca Busio.

He was also a dark-horse candidate for the USMNT manager job at various stages of his career. While it might be strange not seeing the militaristic Vermes on the touchline at Children's Mercy Park, here's betting on the manager turning another MLS club around in the future. 

Teams managed: Nuremberg II, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim

Initial year as manager: 2011

Impact: Pellegrino Matarazzo turned a professional career in Germany's lower leagues into an impressive coaching career. He initially served as a caretaker manager at Nuremberg II in 2011 before working his way through the assistant ranks, which ultimately led to two top management jobs in the Bundesliga - Stuttgart and Hoffenheim.

His fit in Germany as a coach is obvious. The Bergen, New Jersey native is a strong believer in the high-pressing, counter-attacking sides that is synonymous with Gegenpress - the style that Klopp made famous at Dortmund and Liverpool. While his stints at both Stuttgart and Hoffenheim ended with the sack - the latter coming under controversial circumstances - his impact as an American manager abroad can't be disputed.

He was another manager who was reportedly linked with the U.S. job, which he publicly discussed multiple times. It would not be surprising if the American is a top candidate for the position at some point in the future, especially if Pochettino decides to leave when his contract ends after the 2026 World Cup. 

Teams managed: Hammarby, Columbus Crew, USMNT, Chicago Fire

Initial year as manager: 2011

Impact: Eyebrows were raised in 2018 when former USMNT director Earnie Stewart bypassed a full coaching search and zeroed in on Gregg Berhalter. But looking back, it proved the right call. His calm demeanor was what the program needed after missing the World Cup. His Jordans obsession helped connect with younger players, and his trust in up-and-comers ushered in a supposed “golden generation” still expected to make noise at the 2026 World Cup.

At club level, Berhalter has been solid if unspectacular, nearly guiding Hammarby back to Sweden’s top flight, reaching the 2015 MLS Cup final with Columbus and restoring the Chicago Fire to playoff contention. But his tenure hasn’t been free of controversy.

He criticized Gio Reyna at a leadership lecture as a player he considered sending home from the World Cup, sparking a feud with the Reyna family. The goodwill from his World Cup qualifying run evaporated, and he was dismissed after a disappointing 2024 Copa América. Still, his results overall put him in the upper echelon of American head coaches. 

Teams managed: Ohio Bobcats, Princeton, Chicago Fire, Metrostars, Chivas USA, United States U23s, USMNT, Egypt, Staebek, Le Havre, Swansea City, LAFC, Toronto FC, Staebek

Initial year as manager: 1981

Impact: Make no mistake, Bob Bradley is American soccer’s biggest trailblazer as a manager, repeatedly stepping outside his comfort zone with the jobs he took on. His tenure as USMNT boss was often unfairly criticized.

Initially hired as a caretaker after talks with Jurgen Klinsmann broke down and Bruce Arena’s exit, Bradley delivered results few expected. He led the U.S. to the 2009 Confederations Cup final, stunning world No. 1 Spain with a squad featuring Fernando Torres, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, and Iker Casillas at their peak, before falling to Brazil in a dramatic final.

Dismissed after the 2011 Gold Cup loss, Bradley used the setback to challenge himself abroad. In Egypt, he became a respected figure, guiding the national team to the brink of World Cup qualification and helping nurture Mohamed Salah. 

He later managed clubs in Norway (Stabæk), France (Le Havre, nearly promoted to Ligue 1), and England, where his brief stint at Swansea City made him the first American to coach in the Premier League. While his 11 matches there yielded only two wins, he wasn't given much of a runaway with the club. 

Bradley’s legacy as a pioneer is unquestioned, despite recent struggles at Toronto FC and an unsuccessful return to Stabæk.

Teams managed: Seattle Sounders

Initial year as manager: 2002

Impact: Brian Schmetzer isn't the flashiest name when it comes to American managers, but one can easily make the case that he's the best in club football right now. With the Sounders' stunning upset over Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup, he became the first manager in North America to win every major trophy - the Champions Cup and Leagues Cup, along with domestic wins with MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup.

The Champions Cup in 2022 is particularly significant, considering the disparity of resources between MLS clubs and those in Liga MX. And Schmetzer didn't have a Lionel Messi or previous big-name Seattle stars such as Clint Dempsey or Fredy Montero. 

Along the way, Schmetzer has had a hand in developing several stars for the club, including Jordan Morris and Obed Vargas. While some will criticize the 63-year-old for not escaping his Seattle comfort zone, it isn't for a lack of trying.

He publicly announced his interest in the USMNT job in 2024. And the manager should be lauded for his continual rebuilding of the team. There have been at least four eras during his time at the club, and in each, the team was a contender. 

Teams managed: Montreal Impact, New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig, Leeds, Canada

Initial year as manager: 2011

Impact: Bradley walked so Jesse Marsch could essentially run as America's current trailblazer. The first American coach to lead two of Europe's top-five league clubs, Leipzig and Leeds, he was also the first from America to coach in the Champions League with Salzburg. While his time at both Leipzig and Leeds ultimately led to the sack, some would say his exit from Leeds was unwarranted. Either way, he has a list of accomplishments that most in the U.S. would dream of. 

He helped develop Erling Haaland in Austria. He won two Austrian Bundesligas, two Austrian cups, and two MLS Supporters' Shields. While Salzburg were heavy favorites in both competitions, his work with a low budget and a relatively young Red Bulls team still stands out. 

Now with Canada, Marsch has restored pride and confidence in another program with limited resources. While he's gotten some recent criticism after a sub-par showing at the 2025 Gold Cup, when he had a full squad, he led them to the 2024 Copa America semifinals.  

Teams managed: Puget Sound Loggers, Virginia, United States U23, D.C. United, USMNT, New York Red Bulls, LA Galaxy, USMNT, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes

Initial year as manager: 1976

Impact: The godfather of modern American soccer, Bruce Arena is a serial winner in a career spanning more than five decades. He remains the only USMNT coach to lead the team to a World Cup quarterfinal, doing so in 2002 with wins over Portugal and Mexico before falling narrowly to Germany.

That era also produced the program’s highest FIFA ranking at No. 4, and he won three Gold Cup titles. The magic faded in later stints. At the 2006 World Cup, the U.S. failed to advance from the group despite entering the tournament ranked in the top 10. His second spell ended in disaster in 2017 when a shocking loss to Trinidad and Tobago eliminated the U.S. from the 2018 World Cup.

Even with those blemishes, Arena’s club resume is unmatched. He won a record five MLS Cups, four Supporters’ Shields, and revived multiple franchises. His college coaching legacy at Virginia includes five NCAA titles. His chapter in New England, however, ended in controversy.

Now in charge of the San Jose Earthquakes, last year’s Wooden Spoon holders, he’s once again pushing a team into playoff contention. For all the ups and downs, the record speaks for itself: Arena is the greatest manager in American soccer history.