Ernie Stewart, sporting director of the US Soccer Federation, is going to join PSV Eindhoven after leaving men’s national team general manager Brian McBride, a management shakeup that leaves men’s coach Greg Berhalter’s position in uncertainty.
Berhalter and McBride were hired by Stewart and the coaches’ contracts expired on December 31. First reported by ESPN,
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US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement, “While we are sad to see Ernie go, he has helped lay a strong foundation and build a strong playing staff to ensure that the future of US Soccer is bright.”
“Today, we have a unique opportunity to bring in a new sporting director to build on this momentum. We look forward to engaging new leaders who will match our ambitions and realize our vision for the future, our Will take the national teams to the next level.” Including competing for the FIFA World Cup on home soil in 2026.”
The USSF hired the consultancy firm Sportsology to handle the search for Stewart’s replacement.
Sportsology has also been tasked with a “complete review of US Soccer’s sports department”.
Stewart said in the statement: “When the opportunity presented itself to my family to return to the Netherlands to take on an exciting and challenging role, I couldn’t turn it down.
“I am very proud of what our Department of Sport has achieved over the past four years to advance the next generation of sportspeople and increase participation in sport across the country.
“This is an important time for the sport in the United States and I have full confidence in leading US Soccer in 2026 and beyond. It is an honor to represent the US Soccer Federation again in this capacity and I look forward to ” Continuing to support US Soccer in my next chapter and future.”
With USMNT World Cup manager Berhalter’s contract expiring at the end of 2022, the coach position is currently being filled by Anthony Hudson on an interim basis.
Sportsology will also analyze head-coach candidates to expedite the recruitment process for the Director of Sports. Cone said he expected to fill the positions of sporting director and USMNT manager “by the end of the summer”. He later clarified his remarks by saying that he expected the post of sporting director to be filled before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The sporting director, once hired, will decide on a new USMNT manager.
Cone said that Berhalter “remains a candidate” to return as manager.
US men’s national team program has been mired in controversy Berhalter and the family of US midfielder Gio Reyna are involved, Berhalter’s handling of Reyna before, during and after the World Cup – which included almost sending the player home for lack of effort in training – led to the Reyna family revealing an incident of domestic violence involving Berhalter and his now led. —wife, Rosalind, back in 1991.
USSF continues to investigate the incident. It was also revealed that Reynas had been in contact with USSF officials regarding the player’s role during the tournament.
When asked if the investigation had any effect on Stewart and McBride’s departure, USSF CEO JT Batson said that the investigation “had no effect.”
Stewart, 53, is a former US international, and was appointed as the GM of the US men’s national team in June 2018. team, including the team’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup, as well as victories in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League and the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
She also worked under supervision with women’s national team GM Kate Markgraf. US Women’s National TeamWhich included finishing third in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
McBride, 50, is also a former mainstay of the USMNT, making 95 appearances. He was hired in January 2020 to become the USMNT GM.
In a statement, McBride said that he had made his decision to depart prior to the World Cup, but delayed announcing it in order to remain focused on the US team. He stated that he had explored taking a new position with the USSF, but decided to depart when plans for that position were “put on hold”.
McBride said, “I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”
