Jesse Marsch may have been sacked by Leeds, but there are other coaches in the U.S. who could be a success across the Atlantic
Jesse Marsch is out at Leeds and, as his time in the Premier League comes to an end, American soccer must reckon with what's happened and what comes next.
By getting jobs with Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Leeds, Marsch has managed at a level higher than any American that has preceded him. He's won league titles in Austria, coached in the Champions League and guided a team that looked out of ideas to Premier League survival.
It's a resume unmatched by any American manager, but he's not the only coach with the hopes and the ability to manage at a high level.
Several American coaches seem well on their way towards European jobs in the future, while there are also several familiar faces that could pop up at a top job somewhat soon.
And it's not just Americans that could use American soccer as a springboard, as there are several international coaches learning their trade in MLS who may soon want to be make the move across the Atlantic.
So who's the next Marsch or Patrick Vieira, coaches that have both used MLS as a springboard to Premier League jobs? GOAL takes a look at some candidates to make big waves sometime soon…
Getty ImagesGregg Berhalter
The former(?) U.S. men's national team coach has already tried his hand in Europe with Hammarby but, after a decent World Cup, Berhalter's next move could be back to the continent.
Media in Europe looked at the USMNT's performance in Qatar a bit more favorably than back home, with many left impressed by Berhalter's tactics. He's a veteran coach that also has playing experience abroad, so there shouldn't be any concerns about his ability to adapt to the European club game.
Berhalter, in many ways, is better suited for club level, where he can consistently work to implement his attacking philosophy. Doing so with a national team is difficult, and he's already proven he can win without too much financial backing during his time with the Columbus Crew.
However, the entire Reyna family situation is hanging over him, which could put off some clubs that would have previously been interested.
AdvertisementGettySteve Cherundolo
For years, Cherundolo has been earmarked for big things, and it feels like its only a matter of time before we see the Mayor of Hannover make his mark as a coach in europe.
Cherundolo spent 15 years with Hannover as a player, solidifying his place as a club legend. He then began to work his way up through the ranks in Germany, coaching youth teams at his former club while also serving as an assistant with Stuttgart and the Germany Under-15s.
He returned stateside to coach the Las Vegas Lights before taking over from Bob Bradley at LAFC. In his first season with the club, Cherundolo led LAFC to an elusive MLS Cup title, guiding one of the most star-studded rosters in the league's history to a memorable triumph.
There are still questions about Cherundolo as a coach, which is natural given his relative lack of experience. Some, meanwhile, will wonder how Cherundolo will fare this year with a vastly different LAFC team that likely won't have such a talent advantage.
However, if Cherundolo keeps the ship steady in Los Angeles, it's only a matter of time before Europe, most likely Germany, comes calling.
GettyJim Curtin
Curtin's stock continues to rise, and rightfully so.
A two-time MLS Coach of the Year, Curtin has helped build the Union from irrelevant to elite. And he's done so without spending much money, instead helping the club develop some of American soccer's best young talent and a few hidden gems to become one of the best clubs in MLS.
He's out of contract after the 2023 season and, once this MLS campaign is over, there's certainly a chance he decides to try something new. He's already hinted that he could, telling the that he'd be willing to leave for a USMNT assistant job.
At just 43, Curtin has plenty of time to evolve as a coach, and he's already shown he can play different styles with different players.
If there was one MLS coach most ready for Europe, it's probably Curtin. The question is what it would take to get him to go.
GettyJosh Wolff
It's still very, very early for Josh Wolff, but his coaching career is off to a good start.
Wolff has helped build Austin FC from the ground up, taking over before the club's inaugural season and helping establish them as a legit MLS contender. Year one had its ups and downs, but the growth shown in year two was enough to prove that Wolff really knows what he's doing.
Austin is Wolff's first head coaching job, having previously served as an assistant under Berhalter in Columbus, so there's still a lot for him to learn and prove in the coming years. However, the early returns are promising.
Add in his playing experience, which includes 52 USMNT caps and some time abroad in Germany, and you have all the makings of a good young coach.
