A former USMNT manager has gone viral this week after being called out for comments he made about Mauricio Pochettino following the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia in the World Cup Round of 32. The Stars and Stripes secured their first World Cup knockout victory since 2002 on Wednesday night.

Folarin Balogun – one of the standout performers at this summer’s tournament – played both hero and villain in Santa Clara. He scored the crucial opener to put his side in the driving seat, but then threw a spanner in the works for Pochettino and co. when he was shown a red card in the 64th minute. That left Mark Tillman to step up late on and double the co-hosts’ advantage.

After topping their group and recording back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time since 1930 with victories over Paraguay and Australia, the USA have well and truly caught football fever this summer. There’s a sense of optimism surrounding the team unlike anything seen before – but that doesn’t mean everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

Ex-USMNT Manager Bizarrely Puts Pochettino on Blast After Bosnia Win

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Perhaps a little salty, Gregg Berhalter was unimpressed with Pochettino’s tactical set-up during the 2-0 victory over Bosnia, and believes superstar Christian Pulisic needs to be utilised more ahead of their Round of 16 tie vs Belgium.

Speaking on FanDuel’s Coaches Corner, which features Berhalter alongside fellow former coaches Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley, he was critical of the way the US was getting ‘Captain America’ involved. “I want to touch quickly on Christian, because I don’t know if you guys remember the first time he touched the ball in the game?” he asked the studio.

“It really came from us building in our shape, it was like a 3-1-6 (formation) almost. (Bosnia) are playing, as Bob, mentioned a 5-3-2. So they shifted over once to our three, but then on the next pass to our open center back, they’re released with a midfielder. When they did that, Antonee Robinson was high, Malik (Tillman) was high, Christian was wide and we played in the ball.

While Berhalter – who has sat in Pochettino’s seat on two separate occasions, between 2018 and 2022, and again between 2023 and 2024 – was just providing some analysis, as he was called upon to do, he has been destroyed by his former supporters after the video quickly went viral on social media.

Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Pochettino’s tactics are superior to those of the fired coach. That’s the opinion of a majority of USA fans right now, and so scrutiny towards the current manager’s predecessor has been swift, with one X user remarking: “Yes, let’s ask the guy who was fired for being bad at his job what we should’ve done,” as others pointed out that he “failed” to do what his heir has managed to do.”

“He needs to stay in his lane,” a third added, as a fourth wrote: “His opinion is irrelevant.” Elsewhere, a fifth brutally concluded: “If I were Greg Berhalter watching what’s happening right now I think I would be spending 100% of my time trying to make sure people don’t remember that I exist.”

In his first spell in charge of the USA, Berhalter’s side reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and won the Concacaf Nations League Gold Cup in 2021, but his second spell lasted only 14 games. After a 1-0 defeat to Uruguay to knock them out of the Copa AMerica at the group-stage, he still claimed he was the right person to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, but faced the axe instead.

Coventry City and Wrexham are both interested in signing Everton goalkeeper Mark Travers in the summer transfer window, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, with his release clause now revealed.

Travers made the move to Everton last summer from Bournemouth, signing a four-year deal to keep him tied down until June 2029.

The Republic of Ireland international came in as the number two goalkeeper for Jordan Pickford, spending last season predominantly watching on from the bench.

Travers made just two appearances for the club last term, with both of those coming in the Carabao Cup.

With Pickford likely to remain the number one option between the sticks for the Toffees’ next campaign, it could be an opportunity for Travers to head through the exit door.

Duo Eyeing Everton Goalkeeper

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, both Coventry City and Wrexham are showing an interest in signing Everton goalkeeper Travers in the summer transfer window.

Travers is believed to have a release clause in his contract worth around £4m, meaning Everton have no say in allowing him to depart if either of the clubs decide to pay that figure.

The Republic of Ireland international arrived at Everton for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m, according to the Liverpool Echo, meaning Everton are likely to make their money back if they do offload him.

Despite showing an interest in signing Travers this summer, GIVEMESPORT understands that Coventry’s top target remains Brighton goalkeeper Karl Rushworth.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Coventry, helping Frank Lampard’s side gain promotion to the Premier League.

Exit Could be Beneficial to Travers

At the age of 27, it could be time for Travers to go out and play regular first-team football.

The former Bournemouth goalkeeper is going to struggle to displace Pickford in Everton’s starting 11, so a move to a club where he is going to play regularly would be smart.

If Coventry fail with a move to sign Rushworth this summer, then joining Lampard’s side could see him become a regular first-team player.

That would give Travers the opportunity to become a number one in the Premier League, something he has struggled to do consistently in his career.

The 27-year-old has played 24 times in the Premier League, never making more than 12 appearances in the top flight in one season.

Tottenham Hotspur are already lining up their next blockbuster signing after Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Tottenham and ENIC have gone into overdrive in the summer transfer window and have shocked their fans and Premier League opponents with the aggression they are showing in the market.

Having wrapped up bargain free transfer moves for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka within the first couple of weeks of the window opening, Spurs have now started spending big money.

Jan Paul van Hecke cost just over £50m from Brighton and Hove Albion, while the north Londoners have just spent £185m combined on the double midfield swoop for Fernandes and Tonali.

Those two moving to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means that a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis is now off, with the Portugal international saying his goodbyes on social media on Friday afternoon.

With the goalkeeping, defensive and midfield positions coming together nicely, attention is now expected to turn to strengthening De Zerbi’s attack as Tottenham look to make a huge impact next season.

Tottenham have been linked with Manchester City star Savinho, but now they have their eye on a Premier League winner too.

Romano: Tottenham Want Cody Gakpo

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Tottenham have been linked with many left-sided attackers, including Savinho, Rafael Leao and West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville in recent weeks, but now they are said to have an interest in 2025 Premier League champion Cody Gakpo.

Rumours suggested that the £250,000-a-week Netherlands international was considering his future at Anfield following the dismissal of Arne Slot, but Romano claims that Liverpool have no intention of selling and hints it may take a big proposal to change their stance.

Issuing an update on his latest YouTube video, the Italian journalist said:

“Keep an eye on Tottenham for Cody Gakpo, because Tottenham have interest in the player. Then I can tell you that Liverpool, as of today, the beginning of July, are not opening doors to an exit. So, at the moment, Liverpool are not telling Gakpo, ‘Okay, you can leave’, they are not telling Tottenham, ‘Okay, let’s negotiate’. This is not happening now.

“So, at the moment, the door is closed from Liverpool, but we have to see later on this summer, in case Tottenham really open talks by sending a proposal. At the moment, it is interest. If they send a proposal, we have to see what’s going to happen there. So it’s a story to keep an eye on.”

Tottenham Can Sign Gakpo Alternative for £51m

via Reuters

Gakpo is likely to cost Tottenham big money with Liverpool unlikely to want to sell to a Premier League rival for a smaller fee, but Spurs have been told they can sign an alternative to the Dutchman and Savinho for just over £50m.

According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, AC Milan could be willing to sell Rafael Leao for as little as €60m (£51m) this summer.

The player has already publicly confirmed his desire to move on from the San Siro this summer for a new opportunity, with suggestions that the Premier League would be his dream move.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are all in the market for a left-sided forward, so it will be interesting to see who makes their move.