'I think I could lure him' - Ex-goalkeeper Tim Howard bizarrely backs HIMSELF to convince ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to replace Gregg Berhalter as USMNT boss after colossal Copa America failure

Following the United States' early exit from this year's Copa America, a tournament they are hosting, USMNT boss Berhalter is under pressure to keep his job. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, ex-Everton stopper Howard is confident he could put together a pitch that would tempt Klopp - who stepped down as Liverpool manager in May - to take up the US role, if Berhalter is dismissed.

The former USA goalkeeper wrote in a Daily Mail column: "I am willing to help my country in any way I can. Proud to serve. So if I was in charge of US Soccer right now, I'd be on my way to the airport. Why? Because I believe I could make a very compelling argument to Jurgen Klopp to take over the US Men’s National Team. After the disappointment of Copa America, after the United States lost to Uruguay and exited at the group stages, I will personally fly to Spain. I mean it. I know Klopp has only been retired a few weeks and I know he wants a break. But if we sat around his villa in Spain, I think I could lure him over here. 100 percent. The money is certainly there. So my pitch would be simple: he has a young group of players who can play progressive, front-foot soccer - exactly like his Liverpool teams. And in two years’ time he can go to the biggest World Cup in history."

The USMNT face a big decision: Do they stick with Berhalter or twist two years out before the World Cup? They will want to do a whole lot better when the eyes of the footballing world are on them in 2026 in a tournament they are co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. While Klopp admitted he was running out of energy in the day-to-day grind of being a Premier League manager, it seems a very long shot to lure him to America for this international role.

Berhalter, who is in his second spell in this position, will learn soon enough whether or not he will be kept on as US boss following their Copa America group-stage exit. The next time they play will be a friendly against Canada in September.