Chicago Fire Appoints Gregg Berhalter as New Director of Football and Manager
In a major shake-up, the Chicago Fire has announced the appointment of Gregg Berhalter as its new Director of Football and Manager. Berhalter, a seasoned coach with a wealth of experience, will be responsible for overseeing all technical aspects of the team’s operations, including the first team, reserve team, and academy.
The 51-year-old replaces Georg Heitz as Director of Football and takes over from Frank Klopas as Manager. Klopas will step down after the team’s final regular season match on October 19 and transition to a new role as Vice President of Football.
Berhalter, who will be formally introduced next week, will report directly to Fire owner and chairman Joe Mansueto. In a statement, Berhalter expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, “I’m thrilled to join the Chicago Fire and grateful to Joe Mansueto for the opportunity. Chicago is a fantastic city with a deep passion for soccer, and I’m looking forward to working with the staff and players to achieve our goals.”
Berhalter’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Fire, which has struggled to find success in recent years. The team has failed to reach the MLS Cup playoffs in seven consecutive seasons, including the current 2024 campaign.
Berhalter brings a wealth of experience to the role, having managed the U.S. men’s national team for five years. During his tenure, the team qualified for the 2022 World Cup and reached the round of 16. Although his second World Cup cycle was less successful, Berhalter’s overall record with the USMNT stands at an impressive 44-17-13.
Mansueto praised Berhalter’s credentials, saying, “After a thorough search, it was clear that Gregg was the ideal candidate to lead our sporting operations. His success in MLS and experience leading the U.S. national team make him a perfect fit for our vision.”
Berhalter’s managerial career began with Swedish side Hammarby IF before he moved to the Columbus Crew, where he served as manager and sporting director from 2013-18. As a player, Berhalter had an 18-year professional career, earning 44 caps for the USMNT and representing the team at two World Cups.
The Fire will play their final match of the MLS regular season against Nashville at Soldier Field on October 19.
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