United States Soccer Federation athletic director Earnie Stewart will leave to join PSV Eindhoven after the departure of men’s national team general manager Brian McBride, a management reshuffle makes the position of men’s coach Gregg Berhalter uncertain.
Berhalter and McBride were hired by Stewart, and the coach’s contract expired on December 31. McBride has left. was previously reported by ESPN.
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“While we are saddened to see Earnie’s departure, he has helped lay a strong foundation and built a strong sports team to ensure that the future of American Football is bright,” said the President. United States Soccer Federation Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement.
“Today, we have the unique opportunity to invite a new Sports Director to build on this momentum. We are looking forward to acquiring new leaders who will match our ambitions. us and realize our vision for the future, taking our National Team to the next level, including competing for a home FIFA World Cup in 2026.”
The USSF has hired the consulting firm Sportsology to handle the search for Stewart’s replacement.
Sportsology has also been tasked with “a complete review of the sports division of US Soccer.”
Stewart said in the statement: “When given the opportunity to return to the Netherlands to pursue an exciting and challenging role near my family, I couldn’t turn it down.
“I’m incredibly proud of what our sports division has achieved over the past four years to drive the next generation of players and increase participation in the sport nationally.
“This is a pivotal time for sport in the United States, and I have full confidence in American Football’s leadership toward 2026 and beyond. It’s an honor to represent the Football League.” USA again in this capacity and I look forward to continuing to support US Soccer in my next chapter and in the future.”
With USMNT World Cup coach Berhalter’s contract expiring at the end of 2022, the coaching position is currently taken up by Anthony Hudson on an interim basis.
Sportsology will also analyze head coach candidates to expedite the athletic director hiring process. Cone said she hopes to take up the positions of athletic director and USMNT manager “by the end of the summer.” She then clarified her comment to say that she hopes to have the position of sporting director filled before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Sports director, after being hired. , will make a decision on the new USMNT manager.
Cone added that Berhalter “remains a candidate” to return as manager.
USA Men’s National Team Program Controversial involving Berhalter and the family of US quarterback Gio Reyna. Berhalter’s treatment of Reyna before, during and after the World Cup – including nearly sending players home due to a lack of training effort – led to Reyna’s family revealing a domestic violence case involving Berhalter and he is present. -wife, Rosalind, in 1991.
The USSF is continuing to investigate the incident. It was also revealed that Reynas had been in contact with USSF executives about the player’s role in the league.
When asked if the investigation had any effect on the departures of Stewart and McBride, USSF Executive Director JT Batson said the investigation “did not have any impact.”
Stewart, 53, is a former US national team player and he was hired as the CEO of the US men’s national team in June 2018. Over a year later, he was promoted to the position of director. sports, oversaw the reshuffle of the United States men’s national team. team, including the team’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup, as well as the championship at the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
He has also worked with the GM Kate Markgraf women’s national team on supervision United States women’s national teamincluding finishing third at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
McBride, 50, also a former USMNT mainstay, has made 95 appearances. He was hired in January 2020 to become USMNT GM.
In a statement, McBride said he had made the decision to leave before the World Cup but had postponed the announcement to focus on the US team. He added that he had been exploring taking on a new position with the USSF but had decided to leave when plans for that position “put on hold.”
“I’m looking forward to the opportunities ahead,” McBride said.
