Anthony Hudson has stepped down from his role as interim manager of the U.S. men's national team and will be replaced by his assistant B.J. Callaghan while a search for a permanent head coach is underway, the U.S. Soccer Federation said on Tuesday.
Hudson, 42, was appointed interim manager in January but has decided to leave for a new opportunity. Previous manager Gregg Berhalter's contract expired at the end of 2022 shortly after he guided the United States to the last 16 at the World Cup.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/ZzevXLmKEc
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) May 30, 2023
"It's been an honour to represent the national team and one that I have truly valued and enjoyed," Hudson said in a press release. "The group is in good hands with B.J., and I'm excited to watch and support the team as it continues to grow and reach the heights we all know they are capable of."
The 41-year-old Callaghan, who joined U.S. Soccer in 2019 and is currently the longest-serving member of the national team's technical staff, will lead the U.S. in their title defences at the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup.
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker elevates B.J. Callaghan to Head Coach as Anthony Hudson departs » https://t.co/WNlyHUeSVy pic.twitter.com/MVL0GYnyFq
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) May 30, 2023
"Working alongside Anthony Hudson these last five months, we are confident he is prepared and ready to lead this group in the summer tournaments," U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said in a statement.
"We are grateful to Anthony for the tremendous job he did and wish him success in the future."
U.S. Soccer did not say which "new opportunity" Hudson was pursuing but an ESPN report, citing unnamed sources, said he had agreed to take on a head coaching role in the Middle East.
The U.S. will seek to retain their trophies at the June 15-18 CONCACAF Nations League in Las Vegas followed by their bid for a record-tying eighth confederation championship at the June 24-July 16 Gold Cup taking place across North America.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ken Ferris)
