USSF Opening the Vaults! USMNT Ready to Spend Millions on a New Head Coach?

When it comes to hiring a top-tier coach, the phrase "show me the money" has never been more relevant. The US Soccer Federation (USSF) is about to open the vaults and go all in on the next head coach of the US Men's National Team (USMNT). The goal is clear: to secure a big name that can finally elevate American soccer to unprecedented heights. But does the USSF have the financial firepower to make this dream a reality?

Historically, the amounts paid to US national team coaches have varied widely. Bob Bradley's salary in 2011 was around $941,647. When Jürgen Klinsmann took over, the investment skyrocketed: in 2014, Klinsmann earned $3.2 million. More recently, Gregg Berhalter pocketed $2.3 million, including a $900,000 bonus for qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. Despite these rising figures, the public perception was that the USSF couldn't afford a high-caliber coach. This narrative is starting to change.

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After Berhalter's dismissal, the plan is to look beyond American borders for a replacement. US Soccer's sporting director, Matt Crocker, spent the past week in Europe searching for a foreign coach, signaling the federation's willingness to spend more than ever to secure a marquee name. Speculations about names like Jürgen Klopp, who earned €50 million annually at Liverpool, although unlikely, suggest that the investment could reach astronomical levels.

So, how does the USSF plan to raise this kind of money? The answer lies in financial creativity. Through private investment funds, foreign sponsorships, and even crowdfunding initiatives, clubs and federations have found innovative ways to finance expensive signings. A recent example is Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami, backed by financial support from Adidas and Apple.

Thinking outside the box is crucial. The USSF is in a better financial position than many other federations, but with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, time is short. The poor performance at the Copa America, where the US failed to advance past the group stage, set off alarm bells. The fear of wasting the golden opportunity of hosting a World Cup at home led to the decision to fire Berhalter and seek a coach who can genuinely take the team to the next level.

The most plausible solution is involving sponsors. Major brands like Coca-Cola, Visa, and Marriott have shown interest in supporting the USSF, and the federation has proven effective in attracting new commercial partners. Since early 2023, US Soccer has added 11 new sponsors, indicating strong potential to raise additional funds through these partnerships.

Another viable approach is deferred compensation. In this model, the coach would receive a base salary while in charge of the national team and additional payments in future years, after their responsibilities have ended. This strategy, used by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Shohei Ohtani's contract, could ease the immediate financial pressure on the USSF while still offering attractive compensation to the new coach.

Additionally, individuals and Major League Soccer (MLS) club owners might feel incentivized to contribute. The owner of Atlanta United already donated $50 million to build a new training center for the USSF, showing that there is willingness among American soccer stakeholders to invest in the national team's success. These contributions could play a crucial role in hiring the new coach.

The federation is optimistic that money won't be an issue. Internal sources at the USSF told MLS Multiplex that with sponsor support, any shortfall can be easily covered. This approach mirrors what happens at many American universities, where the base salaries of coaches are supplemented by external sources. The USSF has conducted financial simulations to assess the impacts of hiring a renowned coach, and the results indicate that the excitement generated by a big name could bring returns.

However, this reliance on external funding also carries risks. It's important to consider what conditions and influences these investors might exert on the management of the national team. The USSF's autonomy could be compromised if sponsors demand more control or interfere with sporting decisions, creating a delicate dynamic.

With the significant improvement in the USSF's finances, which projects an operational surplus of $1.1 million for the 2025 fiscal year, the federation is in a stronger position to negotiate and attract investments. The substantial increase in commercial and event revenues, which rose from $95.2 million in 2023 to $154.7 million, shows that the USSF has the capacity to raise the necessary funds to hire a top-level coach.

The USSF is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the US Men's National Team performs at a high level in the 2026 World Cup. The combination of financial creativity, sponsor support, and a renewed commitment to sporting success puts the federation in a strong position to hire an elite coach. If all goes according to plan, American fans can look forward to brighter days ahead.