The Fire made Berhalter both head coach and director of football, hoping 'seamless connection' leads to success
You’ll hear the platitude on the lips of everyone around the Chicago Fire organization, pushed at every possible opportunity.
“Chicago is a sleeping giant.”
And perhaps they’re right. The Fire have all of the credentials: massive sports market, Major League Soccer success, a track record of signing household names from Europe. But there are also some drawbacks: weather, some poor transfer business. In recent years, the story has been one of struggle and disappointment.
The Fire have aimed to change that – and have done so with one of the higher profile hires in recent MLS history. In October, Gregg Berhalter was officially announced as head coach and director of football of the Fire, a dual role in the club that has an admittedly mixed history in the league. But Chicago, in handing over the reins to the former United States men’s national team manager, insist they have the right man.
“If he can do his best work as director of football and head coach, and there’s this seamless connection, I’m fine with it,” Fire owner Joe Mansueto said.
ImagnA mixed history of dual roles
The Berhalter story is admittedly a confusing one. He was unceremoniously dismissed from the U.S. job following the USMNT’s failure in Copa America, as the hosts failed to make it out of the group stage. There were calls in some corners for him to be removed before that. He reportedly had offers from both Liga MX and European sides before opting to take the dual role in Chicago. He insists he’s ready to assume both responsibilities.
“It’s definitely going to be difficult, but the really important thing is putting together a good team,” Berhalter told GOAL.
He joins a lineage of individuals who have operated in both roles over the years. Berhalter himself assumed the twin jobs for the Columbus Crew during his previous stint in MLS, and qualified for the playoffs in four out of five seasons. But that proved a difficult task, he admits.
“I learned a lot of lessons from the Columbus days, working from 6 a.m. to 10 at night every day for five years. It aged me,” he said at his introductory press conference. “I realized how I need help.”
For others, though, success has been mixed. Bruce Arena, also a former USMNT manager, has held both positions on three separate occasions. In the first, he turned LA Galaxy from a struggling side – or, a sleeping giant, even – into back-to-back MLS Cup Champions within five years.
He took on a similar challenge with the New England Revolution in 2019. The early days were good, with Arena leading the team to first an Eastern Conference final, then a Supporter’s Shield win, before seeing his team succumb to injuries and fall out of the playoff picture in his third full season. Things ended in controversial fashion in August 2023, when he was placed on administrative leave for alleged “insensitive and inappropriate remarks.” Arena resigned a month later.
Now, he is back, taking on similar responsibilities with the beleaguered San Jose Earthquakes.
Bob Bradley and Peter Vermes have also gone about similar tasks. For Bradley, it wasn’t a successful venture, as he was dismissed by Toronto FC after 18 months. Vermes enjoyed early success – winning MLS Cup in 2013 – but Sporting Kansas City have rather struggled in recent years. He signed a five year deal in 2023, though, and still operates as general manager and head coach.
AdvertisementGettyPiecing together a staff
The initial days of Berhalter’s tenure have been marked by extensive overhaul. Within a month, two assistant coaches were gone. On the same day, the club announced the hiring of head of recruitment Michael Stephens – a former USMNT scout who worked closely with Berhalter from 2019-2022.
A week later, a chief sporting officer was unveiled. Meanwhile, the head coach of Chicago Fire II – the club’s MLS Next Pro side – was dismissed. Two days before Christmas, 9 weeks after officially taking the helm, Berhalter had his staff filled out.
“We have a leadership team that we put together with a sporting director, general manager, head of strategy, head of recruitment and a head of performance. And we’re really relying on that team,” Berhalter said.
The original plan for the Fire, though, was only to find a new director of football. A head coach, they figured, could come after.
“Initially, we were just looking to fill the sporting head’s spot… when we came across Gregg, he expressed a desire to do both,” Mansueto said. “While that was not initially our intention, because of who Gregg is, and he has succeeded in this dual role before, we were confident it would work.”
For Berhalter, there were other opportunities and jobs available. But the assurance that he would have full support from the ownership, including a willingness to invest, was key.
“It’s a market that is desperate for success and an owner that's willing to invest and is committed to building a strong team for the city of Chicago,” Berhalter said. “And that really appealed to me. When evaluating other opportunities, this one became clear because of the tremendous opportunity.”
USA TodayThe players' reaction
Part of the allure, from the Fire’s perspective, is the standing Berhalter has within the game. The former USMNT manager, Mansueto said, has a global brand. The connections developed over the years can only help. The same comes from the players.
“I think we have a duty and job on the field, and we look at him as coach, and not the guy with multiple job titles,” veteran midfielder Kellyn Acosta told GOAL. “From our standpoint, and my standpoint, it's about executing the system and his tactics and playing the best football we can on the field, I think all the rest is is secondary for us.”
He’s not alone in his assessment.
“The fact that he gets the double role speaks for itself, and the trust that he gets from the club,” Hugo Cuypers said. “The experience he brings from his past experiences, and I hope it says it sets the standards for the season.”
Getty Images SportRe-tooling the roster
The goals here are clear. The Fire, sleeping giant and all, have to compete from day one. There was a real buzz about them taking a massive step towards that when they were – ever so briefly – linked with Neymar. The Brazilian has a longstanding interest in MLS, but with an agreement to join Santos reportedly just around the corner, talk fell away.
Instead, Berhalter has looked elsewhere. Chicago has money to spend, and the former USMNT boss has used it. Overseas talent has come in. Former Celta Vigo winger Jonathan Bamba is the marquee arrival. The Ivorian international has appeared 10 times for his country, and played in La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
It would seem to be better business from a side whose signature of Xherdan Shaqiri will go down as one of the worst acquisitions in MLS history. Midfielder Rominigue Kouame has come in from Cadiz on loan. Winger Philip Zinckernagel signed a four-year contract from Belgian side Club Brugge. There are defensive reinforcements in experienced center back Sam Rogers and Portuguese youth international Leonardo Barroso.
“We’re committed to building a strong team for the city of Chicago,” Berhalter explained.
