Legendary Liverpool manager and free agent Jurgen Klopp is thinking about the United States this Independence Day — and the feelings may be mutual.
Klopp, 57, posted what many could theorize as a flirtatious social media post involving the U.S. Men’s National Team and their expected opening following the Copa America debacle.
“It’s the perfect day to think about my trips with @liverpoolfc to the States 🇺🇸 We’ve had a great time & the US fans are electric! Happy 4th of July,” Klopp said in an Instagram post.
Klopp, who was picked by ex-USMNT player and media personality Alexi Lalas in an exclusive interview with The Post’s Ryan Glasspiegel to replace coach Gregg Berhalter, was the FIFA Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
“Someone like Jürgen Klopp is out there,” Lalas told The Post. “I know people scoff at the idea of someone with his pedigree and background would ever consider doing this. But until you have the conversation, you don’t know.”
Well, if his Instagram post is any indication, it looks as though he would be more than willing to discuss the job with the United States Soccer Federation.
Berhalter’s job is on the chopping block after horrific results at the Copa America tournament, losing to Panama and Uruguay on home soil.
The USSF released a statement earlier this week that they will be conducting a “comprehensive review of our performance.”
Berhalter’s group lost to Panama in the group stage while constantly battling with the referees against Uruguay in another 1-0 defeat Monday.
Lalas added that if U.S. soccer does indeed move on from Berhalter, the federation that controls the search for a new coach would be “derelict in their duty not to have a conversation with Klopp.”
“He might say that he doesn’t want to do it, but you leave no stone unturned in terms of going out and trying to identify and lure in the best in the world,” Lalas said to the Post.
It’s important to mention that a coach of his stature would be tough to get financially, the USSF would need to open their wallets for this one.
Klopp was making €15 million per year (roughly $16.2 million) while coaching at Liverpool, while coach Berhalter makes roughly $1.6 million, according to Yahoo! Sports.
The salary difference is vast, but if the USSF can actually pony up the dough for an elite coach who could develop some of its younger players, it would be a game-changer for American soccer.
Klopp is a legend at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, as he guided the club to six major trophies under his reign.
Berhalter has not been fired as the coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, although calls for his job have been ringing with the unacceptable result in the Copa America.
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