Gregg Berhalter is the recently appointed head coach and sporting director of the Chicago Fire Football Club succeeding Frank Klopas. Berhalter faces a baptism of fire with Fire after his sacking from the USMNT because of their failure in the 2024 Copa America. Under his reign, the USMNT did not progress beyond the group stage. His different responsibilities include managing all soccer-related activities, ranging from the senior team to the academy.

Few take this as a new start. They remember that Gregg Berhalter’s greatest success was with Columbus Crew, where he guided the team into playoff positions four times and even surpassed expectations in the 2015 MLS Cup final. The fans think that he could bring stability and incorporate a winning culture back to Fire after a decade of the franchise’s ineptitude of seven seasons missing out on playoffs.

Berhalter has a tall task on his hands as Chicago goes into the last game of 2024 above only San Jose in the Supporters’ Shield table. The former USMNT coach also has to revamp their operations in the transfer market. Despite bringing in some marquee names in the form of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Xherdan Shaqiri, they have failed to produce results. The Fire also recorded the third-highest team salary in the MLS last season only behind Inter Miami and Toronto FC. Moreover, Berhalter will have to make some key decisions on the futures of top stars Gaston Gimenez and Hugo Cuypers who are out of contract next season.

Nevertheless, some fans are less cheerful and outspoken about their disappointment after the team hired Berhalter. On social media, there has been a mixed reaction, with some blasting the move by the Fire, especially taking into account all the controversies that surrounded the coach during his days with the USMNT. They point to his inconsistent tactics and his failure to develop the team further during his second cycle, which ultimately ended in disappointment at the Copa América.

Chicago Fire fans laments Gregg Berhalter’s appointment as a step backward

The official Chicago Fire FC account tweeted the historic announcement. However, the reception was less than rosy. Fans rushed into the replies, expressing a range of emotions. In general, the Fire fans saw this as a backward step for American soccer. MLS fans think Gregg Berhalter’s time with the Fire could be a repeat of his  USMNT deficiencies. He had an encouraging start, but then things stagnated. Fans are frustrated with the Fire’s management. They want the club to hire an outsider or a more exciting person to revive the team. “Nothing new, this franchise is a joke,” one fan tweeted about the appointment.

 “Not a good hiring, lol,” responded another fan. Comments came up not just taking aim at Berhalter but also at the MLS club itself. Berhalter’s task will not be easy. The Fire are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only one match remaining this season. The club hasn’t reached the MLS playoffs since 2017, making this the seventh consecutive year of failure. Moreover, Berhalter hasn’t shown the pedigree required to turn around the club’s fortune on an operational level. Echoing the same sentiment one fan suggested that the doom and gloom for Fire won’t change with the former USMNT coach’s appointment. They said, “My condolences”

There is a certain pressure on Gregg Berhalter to show whether his tenure with USMNT was a true indicator of his worth as a coach. If he manages to get past the challenges and survive in Chicago, he might not only redeem himself but also revive the ailing Fire. One fan suggested cautious optimism by suggesting, “Let’s see how this plays out.” A rival fan offered his sympathies at the plight of the club in Chicago and offered a prayer for Fire fans. They said, “Praying for the fire fans”

Ultimately, this represents a critical test for Gregg Berhalter and the Chicago Fire alike. Whether this partnership can transcend skepticism and yield success for the Fire remains to be seen. The fanbase is now divided on a much larger debate that can be held in American soccer.