As the Concacaf Nations League approaches, the United States Men’s National Team is making another coaching change. BJ Callaghan has taken over as interim head coach, replacing Anthony Hudson, who stepped down from his role as interim boss to pursue another opportunity, US Soccer announced on Tuesday. Hudson has been in charge since after the World Cup and Gregg Berhalter has been out of contract since December.
Hudson oversaw the team that won their group in the Concacaf Nations League and would remain in his post until the Gold Cup concluded in July, but that has now changed, just weeks before the CNL semi-final against Mexico. Callaghan has been a USMNT assistant coach for the past four years, but will now succeed Hudson as he heads into a critical summer.
“BJ has been an integral part of the USMNT staff for the past four years as this young team has grown and developed,” USSF sporting director Matt Crocker said in a statement. “Working with Anthony Hudson over the past five months, we are confident that he is prepared and ready to lead this group through the summer tournaments. We are grateful to Anthony for the great job he has done and wish him the best of luck in the future.”
Callaghan also has Philadelphia Union academy experience and has served as a first-team assistant coach under Union manager Jim Curtin. Because it is in the middle of the summer coaching carousel, the TUDN reports that Hudson left for a club opportunity that he couldn’t pass up. That chance could be in the Middle East although it has not been revealed which club it could be.
These things happen and with no guarantee of getting the permanent head coaching job to replace Berhalter, he can’t pass up the opportunity to lead a club. This is one of the reasons why the United States waiting until the end of the summer to appoint a head coach could come back and bite them. Top candidate Jesse Marsch does possibly in the mix to get the role of Monaco if that opens, which could raise even more questions about who will lead the team if he’s unavailable.
Crocker has time, but this is a position that must be filled before club seasons begin or the team will run into problems planning upcoming tournaments such as the 2024 Copa America. head coach, so the team can continue to push for more talent after Timmy Tillman and Folarin Balogun are added to the ranks.