The United States men’s national team and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/england-national-team-tv-schedule/">England</a> are both looking for a new manager at the moment. Gregg Berhalter was recently fired by U.S. Soccer due to the team’s string of poor performances at Copa America 2024. Gareth Southgate, on the other hand, stepped down from his role with the Three Lions after losing to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/spain-national-team-tv-schedule/">Spain</a> in the Euro 2024 final.



The open managerial positions are two of the more high-profile vacancies in the sport. England, however, is seemingly making positive steps forward in their search for a new manager. It was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/05/fa-board-gives-approval-foreign-manager-take-england-mens-job-gareth-southgate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revealed</a> on Monday that the Football Association (FA) board has approved targeting a foreign coach to succeed Southgate.



<h2>England targets foreign manager thanks to FA vote</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240806_WST_520893_England-manager-1-1200x675_e0b87cc6.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-520950" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



According to The Guardian, FA CEO Mark Bullingham directly asked the board to vote on the matter. Although some members showed hesitations, they have officially now agreed to allow Bullingham to target a foreign manager. The CEO’s decision to call for the vote suggests that he has an idea of who he wants to target.



Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel are the top two foreign candidates for the England job. The Argentine coach previously made a name for himself while at English duo Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. He then most recently managed Paris Saint-Germain and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> with less success.



Tuchel has managed a series of top European clubs since joining <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule/">Borussia Dortmund</a> in 2015. The German is a top manager and has collected trophies at his last four teams.



<h2>U.S. Soccer stalls in their search for Berhalter successor</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240806_WST_520893_England-manager-2-1200x675_48fb0082.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-520951" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/England-manager-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



While England is making moves behind the scenes, U.S. Soccer seems to be taking their time. It was recently <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-bundesliga-coachs-name-rises-to-prominence/">reported</a> that Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo was being linked with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a>. Matarazzo was born in New Jersey and played college soccer at Columbia. The former defender previously managed Stuttgart before joining the fellow Bundesliga side last year.



Nevertheless, Matarazzo and Hoffenheim have now both officially confirmed that the coach will remain in Germany. “It is enormously important to create clarity and calm at this unsettling time,” <a href="https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/en/news/overview/2024/08/together-into-the-new-season" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Matarazzo. “I’m proud to be the coach of this team and I’m really looking forward to taking part in European competition with the boys this season. I’m convinced that with the right additions to the squad, we’ll have another successful season.”



Hoffenheim is clearly happy with the announcement. “For us, there was and still is no doubt that we will start the new season with our coach at the helm,” <a href="https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/en/news/overview/2024/08/together-into-the-new-season" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> the team’s director Frank Kramer. “Last season and the final days at the training camp have shown that the coaching team and the squad are heading in the same direction. We’re all looking forward to a successful season together.”



The news will likely not fill American soccer fans with much confidence going forward. Matt Crocker, the technical direct at U.S. Soccer, is already viewed unfavorably by many USMNT supporters. The exec previously rehired Berhalter, despite the fact that most fans did not want him back. He has now stalled the new search by fumbling the situation with Matarazzo and Hoffenheim. The USMNT plays their next game in one month.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Pochettino, Tuchel tipped for England job as US Soccer looks on

England is taking positive steps forward in their search for a new manager, while U.S. Soccer fails to entice a recent target.

Pochettino, Tuchel tipped for England job as US Soccer looks on - World Soccer Talk

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The next head coach for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) could come from the German Bundesliga.



Pellegrino Matarazzo, the current manager of Hoffenheim, has reportedly been offered the position by US Soccer, as per German news outlets <a href="https://www.kicker.de/us-verband-will-matarazzo-1042072/artikel#twfeed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kicker</a> and <a href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/kurz-vorm-saisonstart-bundesliga-coach-will-us-nationaltrainer-werden-66ace39eedc0f10a82c85fa2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bild</a>. 



This news comes amid a turbulent period for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a>; they are seeking a fresh start following a disappointing performance at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america-tv-schedule/">2024 Copa America</a>.



Born in Wayne, New Jersey, to Italian immigrants, Matarazzo has a unique background that blends American roots with extensive European experience. 



He attended Columbia University, graduating with a degree in applied mathematics. Then, he embarked on a professional soccer career in Germany in 2000. 



His playing career spanned various low-level professional teams, with the highest level being Germany’s third division.



Matarazzo’s transition from player to coach began at Nurnberg, where he was both a player and an assistant coach for the reserve team. 



His coaching career gained significant traction when he became roommates with Julian Nagelsmann, in 2015. Matarazzo later joined Nagelsmann’s staff at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/hoffenheim-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Hoffenheim</a>, starting as a youth coach and eventually becoming his assistant.



<h2>Coaching career and style</h2>



Matarazzo’s managerial career took off when Stuttgart hired him in December 2019. He led them to promotion from the second division to the Bundesliga, where they finished ninth in their first season back. Despite a challenging second season, where Stuttgart narrowly avoided relegation, 



Matarazzo’s tenure was marked by his ability to develop young talent and implement a high-pressing, counter-attacking style of play. After leaving Die Roten, Matarazzo returned to Hoffenheim as head coach in February 2023. Under his leadership, Hoffenheim finished seventh in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-the-bundesliga-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Bundesliga</a>; securing a spot in the UEFA Europa League for the 2024-25 season.



The 45-year-old’s preferred formation is a 3-5-2, and his coaching philosophy is heavily influenced by his time working with Nagelsmann. He emphasizes high pressing and counter-attacking but also values possession and tactical flexibility. His approach could be highly beneficial for the USMNT, who boast several talented players like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/pulisic-could-switch-to-new-position-in-milan/">Christian Pulisic</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-duo-tessmann-and-mckennie-to-join-forces-next-season/">Weston McKennie</a>, and Sergiño Dest.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="442" height="544" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240804_WST_520531_image_344f4d78.webp&amp;width=442&amp;height=544" alt="" class="wp-image-520544" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/image.png 442w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/image-244x300.png 244w" sizes="(max-width: 442px) 100vw, 442px"></figure><figcaption>Pellegrino Matarazzo has reportedly been offered the USMNT job.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>What can Matarazzo bring to USMNT?</h2>



The possibility of Matarazzo taking over the USMNT comes at a critical time. The United States, Mexico, and Canada will host the 2026 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a>, and the squad is getting ready to play in that tournament. 



Expectations are high; the Yanks need a coach who can harness their potential and elevate their performance on the world stage. 



Matarazzo’s experience in European soccer, combined with his American background, makes him an intriguing candidate for the role.



However, transitioning from club to national team management presents its own set of challenges. 



The manager’s will need to adapt his coaching style to the international arena, working with players from diverse leagues and backgrounds. 



Integrating his tactical philosophies with the realities of American soccer will require careful planning and execution.



One potential hurdle in securing Matarazzo as the USMNT head coach is his current contract with Hoffenheim, which runs until the end of the 2024-25 season.



 U.S. Soccer may need to negotiate a buyout with Hoffenheim, particularly considering Matarazzo’s recent success with the club. Additionally, Hoffenheim’s recent parting with sporting director Alexander Rosen adds another layer of complexity to the situation.



Photo credit: IMAGO / Nordphoto.

USMNT: Bundesliga coach's name rises to prominence

The next head coach for the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) could come from the German Bundesliga.

USMNT: Bundesliga coach's name rises to prominence - World Soccer Talk

Hoffenheim is no longer one of three Bundesliga teams exempt from the ‘50+1’ ownership regulations. The club’s fans are now back in the majority.



Normally, no entity in German professional soccer may hold more than half of a club. However, because of their lengthy histories with their respective owners, Hoffenheim, Bayer Leverkusen, and Wolfsburg had exceptions to this rule.



However, Hopp chose to step down as Hoffenheim owner after an investigation by the authorities and continual harassment from rival supporters. The 83-year-old is a millionaire who established the software company SAP.



Thanks to him, the team climbed from the fifth division to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a>, where they have remained since 2008. Under Julian Nagelsmann, who is currently the coach of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a>, they even managed to achieve the remarkable feat of qualifying for the 2018 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-uefa-champions-league-and-europa-league-on-us-tv-and-internet/">UEFA Champions League</a>.



According to a <a href="https://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/en/news/overview/2023/11/tsg-hoffenheim-once-again-a-50-1-regulation-club/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">club statement</a> released on Wednesday, the German Football League (DFL) and the tax office have both recognized the club’s revised shareholder agreement.



Great fan culture, cheap tickets, top-notch performance, and high average attendance are just a few of the reasons why German soccer is so popular. A key element in this is the so-called ’50+1′ ownership rule.



<h2>What is ’50+1′ rule?</h2>



According to a <a href="https://www.bundesliga.com/en/faq/what-are-the-rules-and-regulations-of-soccer/50-1-fifty-plus-one-german-football-soccer-rule-explained-ownership-22832" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-standing regulation in the Bundesliga</a>, the team association must own one share in addition to fifty percent of a club. The requirement that clubs’ members possess fifty percent plus one additional vote—i.e., a majority—is reflected in the rule’s name.



In a nutshell, it implies that local clubs, and by implication, their supporters, rather than an outside force or investor, have the last say in club management.



More and more money is flowing into European soccer, however, and that is a challenging tradition. One goal of the’ 50+1’ rule is to stop what is happening in English soccer, where wealthy Saudis and Americans finance teams with little to no input from the public.



When foreign investors have the most say, German soccer teams cannot participate in the Bundesliga or the German second-tier league according to DFL regulations.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231201_WST_474294_Hoffenheim-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-474391" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Hoffenheim-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Hoffenheim-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Hoffenheim-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/Hoffenheim.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Hoffenheim has found success this season, as it currently sits sixth in the Bundesliga.</figcaption></figure>



This rules out the possibility of corporate or commercial investors acquiring teams and putting profit before fan preferences. The decision defends the democratic traditions of German clubs while also shielding them against careless owners.



Until 1998, private ownership was forbidden in Germany, and teams were instead administered by members’ groups as non-profit organizations. That year saw the introduction of the ‘50+1’ rule. This rule explains why the Bundesliga controls levels of debts and salaries. Also, this rule contributes to the cheap ticket pricing as compared to other major European leagues.



<h2>Which Bundesliga clubs are currently exempt from ’50+1′ rule?&nbsp;</h2>



The manner in which clubs adjusted to these developments varied. The forms members took ownership of the groups also varied. A large number of the Bundesliga clubs are really subsidiaries of larger clubs that manage the first team. This makes them legally similar to limited or joint-stock companies.



After looking over the regulation, the German Cartel Office requested revisions from the DFL. Leverkusen and Wolfsburg earn special treatment in the future. No other teams will be able to apply for this.



The regulation has long been a source of frustration for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">Bayern Munich</a>. They have argued that it prevents them from competing on par with clubs like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a>, controlled by Abu Dhabi.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Change in ownership structure makes Hoffenheim 50-plus-1 club

After regaining control of the club's voting rights, Hoffenheim is back in the group of Bundesliga clubs to adhere to the '50+1' rule.

As intriguing as the current edition of the Champions League may be, there’s a chance the 2009-2010 tournament could be one of the strangest, parity-rich events in football history. Seems someone has taken the snow globe that is European football, given it a good shake and the flakes aren’t landing where people expect.
The tables in Germany, Holland, Portugal and even Italy don’t resemble what we’ve come to expect as status quo, and as a result, the trickle-down to next year’s Champions League could be&nbsp; fascinating.&nbsp; Not only could you have some very fresh names, faces and kits in the fray, but they’ll be usurping some very established entities, including a couple of past champions.
Starting in Italy, where Inter Milan is in the lead with 24 points, you’ve got a gaggle of teams behind Mourinho’s men that includes Napoli, Udinese and Genoa, all within four points of the top, and all within at least a shot of getting into the qualifying rounds. And standing on the outside looking in would be Juventus, Roma and Fiorentina, three teams that are in the hunt in this year’s Champions League.
Not even England is immune to this phenomenon. Despite the Big Four of Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United being entrenched as the top four, Hull City had a prominent spot near the top of the table for much of the opening weeks, and they’re still within reach in sixth position with 20 points, only one shy of the top four.
The best story might be in Germany, where Hoffenheim has been at the tippity-top of the Bundesliga alone until this weekend. Hoffenheim may be in there for the duration; it’s won five in a row and now shares the lead with Bayer Leverkeusen. Bayern Munich is charging hard and it will be tremendous to watch if Hoffenheim can find a way to hang on.
Az Alkamaar, meanwhile, took over the lead in the Dutch Eredivisie and has the lone automatic Champions League group stage spot right now. Behind AZ? Well, sure, Ajax is there, but so is NAC Breda and Groningen. Breda and Ajax are tied on points with Az, and Groningen two points out.
In Portugal, if things ended today, F.C. Porto and Sporting would be OUT altogether. OUT. Sporting, which has already earned a spot in the knockout round, is five points out, and Porto’s miserable start has it even further back. Leixoes is in the lead. Who? Leixoes. Nacional da Madeira is three out and Maritimo five back. Benfica is the lone giant in the top three. And Benfica is somewhat woeful as far as big clubs go.
It’s early, but it’s fun to look ahead and acknowledge what these minnows are doing. The longer it goes like this, the more fun it becomes. And perhaps next August, you just might seeing a Champions League draw with clubs such as Hoffenheim, Az Alkamaar and Leixoes joining Inter, Chelsea and Barcelona in Pot 1. Now how much fun would that be?

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Change in ownership structure makes Hoffenheim 50-plus-1 club

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