Trailblazing Americans have made their coaching marks not only in MLS and with the USMNT, but in England, Germany and France
While it might not be as pronounced as on the playing side, the footprint of American managers in the global soccer scene is growing. Americans have graced the touchline not only in MLS, but in England, Germany, France, Switzerland, Norway, and even Egypt.
And with each trailblazing move, more doors open – as they did when Bob Bradley, for example, coached his way through Europe until he got to the Premier League. There could be more groundbreaking moments as American soccer gets more visibility in the coming months ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
GOAL takes a look at the top 10 active American managers in global soccer.
Getty Images Sport10David Wagner
Teams managed: Dortmund II, Huddersfield Town, Schalke 04, Young Boys, Norwich City
Initial year as manager: 2011
Impact: Due to his German roots, David Wagner isn't often thought of as an American manager, but he was an U.S. international – making eight caps during the late '90s. Wagner entered the coaching ranks as a highly-regarded prospect, serving as a reserve coach under Jurgen Klopp between 2011 and 2015 at BVB.
He worked relative miracles at a low-budget Huddersfield Town side, getting them promoted in 2017. However, with the club struggling to maintain its Premier League status in 2019, he left by mutual consent.
Fortune has not been on Wagner's side since. He led Schalke to a record winless streak of 16 matches between January and June 2020. He then took over Young Boys, where his side ended a consecutive run of league titles following his arrival. And his final stop came at Norwich, where he led American Josh Sargent and Co. to a sixth-place finish, but ultimately lost in the 2024 promotion playoffs in the semifinals.
He was sacked after the loss. Wagner, 53, has previously been linked with MLS jobs, and was recently named as RB Leipzig's head of youth development.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport9Jim Curtin
Teams managed: Philadelphia Union
Initial year as manager: 2014
Impact: Despite all of their success this season, it is still a bit surprising that the Union decided to move on from their long-serving manager during the offseason. Similar to Peter Vermes at Sporting KC, Jim Curtin built a culture that was foundation-setting for the club.
He was promoted as a 35-year-old and led the expansion team to several successes, including the Supporters' Shield in 2020 and three U.S. Open Cup wins. While the MLS Cup eluded him, he did take the Union on several deep runs in the playoffs, including the team's appearance in the 2022 MLS Cup finals – losing to LAFC.
He is also the manager who gave top U.S. prospect Cavan Sullivan his professional debut in MLS.
Getty Images Sport8Steve Cherundolo
Teams managed: Las Vegas Lights, Los Angeles Football Club
Initial year as manager: 2021
Impact: Steve Cherundolo gets flak for what he isn't at LAFC, but let's focus on what he is: a pretty darn good manager at this level. In just four seasons as manager, he's won three major titles – MLS Cup and Supporters Shield in 2022 along with the U.S. Open Cup in 2024.
Yes, naysayers will mention he failed to get the most out of Olivier Giroud – who is back to his best in Ligue 1 – but Cherundolo, 46, has essentially overseen three rebuilds during his time at LAFC. He went from the Carlos Vega era to Denis Bouanga and is now ushering in a new one midseason with Son Heung-Min. That isn't easy to do.
He was speculated to be a candidate for the USMNT job prior to the U.S. Soccer selecting Mauricio Pochettino. Cherundolo is stepping away from LAFC, a decision that's likely for the best for both him and the club, to return to Germany. But his journey in management should not end in L.A. He has plenty of potential.
Getty Images Sport7Peter Vermes
Teams managed: Sporting KC
Initial year as manager: 2009
Impact: A Sporting KC legend as a player and manager, Peter Vermes helmed the club as manager for 16 years before the club parted ways with him earlier this year. Still, his impact on the franchise can't be overstated.
He took a small market team and turned it into a MLS powerhouse, making the playoffs 11 times, winning the league title in 2013, along with three U.S. Open Cups. He also developed stars on his team that turned into major contributors on his team or went on to Europe on profitable transfers for the club, including Matt Besler, Graham Zusi, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Gianluca Busio.
He was also a dark-horse candidate for the USMNT manager job at various stages of his career. While it might be strange not seeing the militaristic Vermes on the touchline at Children's Mercy Park, here's betting on the manager turning another MLS club around in the future.