Gregg Berhalter's future has been thrown further into doubt by the current scandal engulfing American soccer, meaning he could be replaced…

If the U.S. men's national team's coaching search wasn't difficult before, it sure is now. U.S. Soccer faces a massive decision when it comes to choosing who will lead the USMNT into the 2026 World Cup, a tournament set to be held on home soil that is expected to vault American soccer into a new stratosphere.

The next three-and-a-half years are perhaps the most important in American soccer history, with a series of friendlies, CONCACAF tournaments and a Copa America all serving as test runs for a pivotal World Cup.

Picking the coach to lead that run is a key decision, one that U.S. Soccer leadership isn't rushing. The federation named Anthony Hudson as interim coach for the annual January camp, which saw a loss and a draw against Serbia and Colombia, respectively.

Gregg Berhalter, by all accounts, remains in the mix to stay on, but bringing him back is now even more complicated amid revelations about his past and a feud with the Reyna family.

An ugly domestic violence incident from 30 years ago has been dragged up, creating a bitter feud between Berhalter and the Reynas that has thrown the U.S. into turmoil.

Adding to the chaotic nature of all of this is the departures of sporting director Earnie Stewart and general manager Brian McBride, the men who were expected to lead the coaching search. Now, U.S. Soccer will need to fill their jobs before deciding on a coach and, as a result, the new USMNT boss may not be confirmed until summer.

Is all of this enough to officially end Berhalter's tenure? It's too soon to truly say, although it isn't looking great for him. If the U.S. does move on, there are plenty of intriguing options to lead the team towards the 2026 World Cup.

GOAL looks at the leading candidates below…

Getty ImagesGregg Berhalter

A few months ago, the road to Berhalter staying looked a bit clearer.

But after the recent revelations and controversies, it remains to be seen if either side will want to continue this partnership.

Stewart said that Berhalter was still in consideration, but that was before his own departure was revealed. Stewart's exit may just be the end of Berhalter's hopes, as a new sporting director will likely want to point the program in a new direction.

Those at the federation are generally happy with how the U.S. performed at the World Cup and several players in the USMNT squad have stated that they'd be glad to keep playing under Berhalter going forward.

However, there are always questions about a two-cycle coach and the U.S. has seen those questions quickly turn into full-blown disasters in the 2014 and 2018 World Cup cycles. There's a circle out there that believes that Berhalter has taken this team as far as he can and that it's time for a fresh voice and fresh ideas.

And let's not forget about Berhalter's own desires. There's a chance that he, too, is ready to move on for a club job elsewhere, especially given how toxic the team has become since the World Cup ended.

AdvertisementGetty Images Jesse Marsch

Marsch is on the market following his departure from Leeds, paving the way for this potential match made in heaven.

Marsch has been linked with the USMNT job for years, and he's been asked about coaching the U.S. in the 2026 World Cup plenty of times before. Each of those times, he pointed to his ambitions in Europe, which very well could have changed in recent days after being dismissed by Leeds.

Is Marsch willing to give up his European dream to lead the U.S. into a World Cup on home soil? Is Marsch even the right fit, or is he just being linked to this job because of his nationality? Could U.S. Soccer and Marsch work together to build on the foundation laid out by Berhalter?

Those are the big questions that need to be answered by a coach that has suddenly become the clear front-runner.

GettyJim Curtin

The Philadelphia Union manager could be the next to take the leap from MLS to the USMNT.

Curtin has worked wonders with the Union, building the club into a powerhouse with an endless army of homegrown studs. Throughout his tenure, Curtin has developed a reputation for getting the best out of young players and helping them prepare for the next step in their careers.

The USMNT, though, might be past that point in its development, as many of the team's stars will be entering their prime by the time 2026 rolls around.

Curtin may have been a good fit for the young U.S. building towards 2022, but there's an argument to be made that the U.S. will need someone with a bit more high-level experience on the road to the next World Cup.

GetyMarcelo Bielsa

What a wild ride this would be!

Bielsa is a legitimate coaching legend, having influenced many of the world's top managers with his relentless work ethic and tactical genius. The Argentine has worked all over the world, forging a reputation as one of the most influential managers in the club and international game.

However, he's not known as El Loco for nothing. Bielsa is all-controlling and obsessive, which has led to plenty of arguments with his employers. He'd no doubt be prepared to take on the USMNT job due to his obsessive preparation, but would the U.S. be prepared to handle everything that comes with hiring Bielsa?

There's also U.S. Soccer's prior insistence that the candidate speaks fluent English and live in Chicago, which may prove a massive, massive hurdle when it comes to several top candidates, Bielsa included.

Mexico, too, are interested in the Argentinian icon, which could lead to a battle between the two CONCACAF titans. Bielsa always makes things interesting, that's for sure, and adding his brand of chaos to CONACACF would certainly be fun for anyone watching on.