The US football team have appointed a new interim manager after the previous incumbent stepped down after just four months in charge.
Anthony Hudson took the job after Gregg Berhalter left the role in December 2022. Assistant B.J. Callaghan will now take charge of the team on a temporary basis and guide them through both the Concacaf Nations League and the Concacaf Gold Cup, which get underway next month.
"B.J. has been an integral part of the USMNT staff during the last four years as this young team has grown and developed," said USSF sporting director Matt Crocker in a statement. "Working alongside Anthony Hudson these last five months, we are confident he is prepared and ready to lead this group in the summer tournaments. We are grateful to Anthony for the tremendous job he did and wish him success in the future."
Hudson opted to leave the role to take a managerial job in the Middle East, sources told ESPN. Following the news of his departure, Hudson released a statement of his own which read: “I would like to thank U.S. Soccer for the opportunity to be part of such a great team of players and staff. It's been an honor to represent the National Team and one that I have truly valued and enjoyed.
“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." Callaghan had initially served as assistant coach of the USMNT for the past four years and before working for the national team, he had been with the Philadelphia Union for seven years.
"I understand the responsibility of the job and am honored to have the opportunity to build upon the progress this group has made the last four years," Callaghan said in a statement. "Together, we have built a strong culture and a great understanding of how we want to play, and we expect to continue to build on that progress. Our goal is clear: defend both of our Concacaf titles."
Callaghan’s coaching staff has yet to be determined, but he endeavours to lean on the experience he gained as the team’s assistant coach to help guide the US to successful title defences. "I've learned a lot from navigating these competitions with the team during the previous cycle, as well as the three-game World Cup qualifying windows," he said. "I have strong experience in both competitions and understand the unique challenges both present.
"We will rely strongly on the well-established relationships with the players in order to help us defend both titles." USMNT and Fulham player Tim Ream added: "First of all, congratulations to Anthony and we wish him all the best in his new opportunity. After speaking to B.J., one main takeaway is that nothing changes for this group.
"The messaging, goals, and ideas stay the same, with a new voice at the top. His is a familiar voice that we are all comfortable with and have been around for years. We are positioned well to win another Nations League and we need to be prepared from day one of camp to get the job done."
