90min

USMNT targeting Premier League legend for head coaching role - report

  • The USSF fired Gregg Berhalter after a dismal Copa America 2024 campaign
  • Patrick Vieira and RC Strasbourg mutually agreed to end their collaboration
  • Vieira previously managed in MLS, Ligue 1 and the Premier League

By Max Mallow

Patrick Vieira is under consideration for the USMNT job
Patrick Vieira is under consideration for the USMNT job / Richard Sellers/Allstar/GettyImages
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Patrick Vieira is one of the names the United States Soccer Federation is considering for the U.S. men's national team head coaching vacancy.

According to Fabrizio Romano, talks are not advanced or close at the time of writing. Vieira is currently a free agent after he and Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg came to a mutual agreement to part ways.

Vieira, an Arsenal legend and widely considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of all time, has previously managed at New York City FC, OGC Nice, Crystal Palace and the aforementioned Strasbourg.

Patrick Vieira
Vieira and RC Strasbourg mutually parted ways on July 18 / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages

USMNT considering Patrick Vieira to replace Gregg Berhalter

The USSF fired head coach Gregg Berhalter this summer after the team was unceremoniously bounced from Copa America in the group stage. A summer that was supposed to be a sign of hope and progress turned into one of dismay and frustration. Losses to Panama and Uruguay saw USA go out in Group C with even more criticism falling at Berhalter's feet.

The first name reportedly contacted about the opening was former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Any hope of luring him to the States was quickly extinguished.

Vieira began his managerial career in City Football Group with the Elite Development Squad. In 2015, he was appointed head coach of City's MLS side NYCFC. He improved NYCFC's league standing each season until 2018 when he was appointed manager of Nice in France.

He was sacked by Nice in 2020 and later appointed manager of Crystal Palace succeeding Roy Hodgson. He reached an FA Cup semi-final in his first season at the club. He was sacked by Palace in 2023 after a 12-game run without a win. Most recently, his time with Strasbourg was met with controversy with fans unhappy with how Strasbourg was being operated. His side struggled with fans unhappy toward the club as part of Chelsea's BlueCo consortium.

Vieira's career managerial record is 111-79-102.

Vieira would certainly be a big name hiring, but one that fans might be skeptical of until progress and a style of play is shown. The former Arsenal man favors a possession-based style, but he can be proactive and pragmatic in his tactics.

Still, those two key factors must be at the top of priority lists for the next head coach. The team has no time to waste with the 2026 World Cup on home soil less than two year away.

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