USMNT GM Earnie Stewart interviewing finalists for vacant coaching job
United States men’s national team general manager Earnie Stewart has been conducting interviews for the USMNT’s vacant head coach position, a U.S. Soccer spokesman confirmed to Yahoo Sports on Friday.
No names were provided, but Stewart is believed to have interviewed at least two candidates. Speaking to Yahoo on Friday night, former U.S. defender and current Columbus Crew coach Gregg Berhalter, widely considered a top contender for the job, wouldn’t comment when asked if he had been interviewed.
Sat down with Gregg Berhalter tonight to talk about the Crew’s impressive season. Given today’s news, had to ask if he’s been interviewed by Stewart. His response: “No comment.” https://t.co/bckQpsFwD7
— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) October 6, 2018
It’s a significant development for a program that has been without a permanent coach for almost an entire calendar year, since Bruce Arena stepped down in the wake of the Americans failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Dave Sarachan, Arena’s former assistant, has led the U.S. on an interim basis for the last 11 months, but is not believed to be among those being considered for the full-time job.
Stewart hadn’t conducted any formal interviews as recently as a month ago. He told reporters in early September that he would only seriously consider a few coaches, at most, for the position. Just within the last two weeks, several other potential candidates, including FC Dallas boss Oscar Pareja and Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes, said they had not been interviewed, although that could’ve changed in recent days. A source told Yahoo earlier this week that Stewart has considered international candidates along with domestic ones, but stopped short of saying that any of them had been interviewed in person.
Stewart is expected to make his decision as early as Nov. 1, with the new man likely to start in January. The USMNT will close out 2018 with friendlies against Colombia, Peru, England and Italy but won’t play a competitive match until the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup kicks off next summer.
Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.
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