Jurgen Klopp rejects approach from U.S. Soccer as USMNT's search for new head coach gets underway

Reports emerged on Thursday that U.S. Soccer had begun the process of courting Klopp after announcing Wednesday that Gregg Berhalter had been dismissed from his role as USMNT boss. U.S. Soccer, which has a link to Klopp through USWNT boss Emma Hayes, had reportedly reached out to the ex-Liverpool boss about the possibility of becoming head coach.

According to the Athletic, though, Klopp has turned down an approach from the federation as he reiterated that he would like to take a break from the sport after walking away from Liverpool earlier this year. Still, the report adds that U.S. Soccer is still interested in pursuing the German boss.

Klopp stepped away from Liverpool after the conclusion of the Premier League season, citing dwindling energy levels and burnout as the reasons he had to move on. He has been seen enjoying his summer, taking time away from the game as part of a well-earned rest.

"It is that I am running out of energy," he said in January. "I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again."

While Klopp may be the biggest name on the USMNT's potential coaching list, he's not the only one, as the federation's search is just getting underway. The national team opted to make a change after their dismal showing at the Copa America, in which the tournament hosts crashed out at the group stage.

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker says the federation hopes to have a coach appointed by September when the U.S. will play a pair of friendlies. They'll face Canada on September 7 in the first of those friendlies before hosting New Zealand three days later.