Citing Lionel Messi & Argentina’s World Cup Glory, USMNT’s Interest In Pellegrino Matarazzo Backed By Ex-Liverpool Star

USMNT has yet to find a replacement for former coach Gregg Berhalter but they have a new candidate. Hoffenheim boss Pellegrino Matarazzo. The US Soccer Federation reportedly approached Hoffenheim to negotiate for the American coach’s signature. Former USMNT star and ESPN analyst Sebastian Salazar thinks Matarazzo is not a big shot in the world of elite soccer managers. However, a former Liverpool ace begs to differ. To prove his point, the Reds legend highlighted Lionel Messi’s Argentina’s historic third World Cup win in 2022.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s recent link to the USMNT coaching job became the talking point in a recent ESPN FC episode. While all panelists agree that Matarazzo is a fitting candidate for the US job, some argue he is not a big-name manager.

The point is quite relevant considering heavyweights such as Jurgen Klopp and Gareth Southgate were linked to the USMNT role. But Liverpool legend Don Hutchison insisted that international teams do not need high-profile managers to win big. “Do you need to be a big-name manager? Because I’m thinking of Argentina World Cup winners Spain Euros are you seeing many big-name managers managing International Teams these days? Well, Mattarazzo is not a big name. I’m saying so so so it can work,” said Hutchison.

Hutchinson was on point with his references to Lionel Messi’s World Cup-winning Argentina and the recent European champions- Spain. Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni became a big-name boss after his World Cup success with Argentina. He joined Messi’s side with a brief coaching experience with Argentina’s youth team. From being such an inexperienced coach, Scaloni became a Copa America winner in 2021 and a world champion in 2022. Now, he has yet another Copa in his cabinet. So Matarazzo indeed has a chance to do wonders at the USMNT camp.

So what is the latest on the Matarazzo-USMNT link? Let’s find out.

Pellegrino Matarazzo might mull over a Hoffenheim exit for the USMNT job

While reports have it that the USSF has approached Pellegrino Matarazzo to take the coaching job, they also suggest that the New Jersey native is interested in the same. Matarazzo has reportedly had a shakeup with Hoffenheim’s front office this summer. The club’s Sporting Director Alexander Rosen, who supported Matarazzo, left the club citing poor preparations for the coming season.

Hence, the US native is also planning to mull an exit from the Bundesliga side. Matarazzo only has a year more remaining in his contract with Hoffenheim. So it is rather easy for him to exit the German club at this point. And what awaits him? A dream coaching job in his homeland that too with the national team. Only time will tell if the deal falls through. Even if it materializes, Matarazzo would have an uphill battle to win.