The USMNT continues spinning its wheels in its hunt for a new manager. Among the big names linked to the job, the latest candidate mentioned at US Soccer’s headquarters is Pellegrino Matarazzo. While many are in favor of the Hoffenheim boss to lead the Star and Stripes, former USMNT star Sebastian Salazar believes other options like Herve Renard could be a ‘sexier‘ choice.

This doesn’t mean Matarazzo isn’t in the good books of the ex-USMNT star. However, the 46-year-old’s lack of international experience doesn’t ‘check the box’ and makes him a ‘scary‘ appointment. Instead, Salazar took the name of Renard, who boasts plenty of understanding of managing a national team.

The French tactician’s stint with the French WNT, defeating Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the 2022 World Cup with Saudi Arabia and winning multiple African Cup of Nations tournaments with different countries makes Renard an attractive option. “Somebody of that nature would be a very accessible hire to US Soccer,” said Salazar, while speaking to ESPN.

Renard—who earns half a million dollars a year from the French WNT—has gained an alleged interest from Ghana. The African nation is allegedly offering him south of a million dollars a year, an offer that Salazar believes the US Soccer can beat as they were eventually paying a couple of million dollars per annum to Berhalter. “There are a lot of candidates that would be sexier than Matarazzo and big-name candidates are more for the fans but we have to be honest about what’s coming here,” added Salazar.

The pundit asserted that with the US hosting the 2026 WC, a hiring that excites people carries a significant value. “I don’t think Matarazzo would get US fans overwhelmingly excited but he’s a good coach. If there was some patience and people could watch him work, they would fall in love with this guy.”

While it remains clear that Salazar wants a big name to lead the USMNT, this isn’t the case for everyone.

Despite Herve Renard’s backing, Pellegrino Matarazzo can ‘work‘ out for the USWNT

Continuing the discussion, Liverpool legend Don Hutchison, who was a part of the panel, claimed that it’s not always the high-profile managers who hold the ability to impress and win big. “Do you see many big-name managers managing International Teams these days?” questioned Hutchison, citing examples of Lionel Scaloni winning the World Cup with Argentina and Luis de la Fuente leading Spain to UEFA Euro 2024.

Hutchison believes that both managers weren’t termed as high-prolific before their achievements, yet they managed to achieve such glory. Meanwhile, other big guns of the managerial world failed to pose a challenge. “Mattarazzo is not a big name. I’m saying so it can work,” added the Reds icon. Who knows? Mattarazzo joining the USMNT might see him prove himself as among the big names in the managerial arena.

Regardless, for now, it remains to be seen who the US Soccer Federation decides as the man to end the woes of their golden generation.