Neymar’s masterclass in Santos’ 3–0 win away to Juventude was far more than a nostalgic reminder of his early days in Vila Belmiro; it was a season‑defining performance that dragged a giant club away from the relegation cliff and reasserted his status as a difference‑maker on the Brazilian stage. Playing through knee pain, the 33‑year‑old produced a ruthless 17‑minute hat‑trick that transformed a tense, anxious relegation fight into a night of hope and defiance for Santos. survival on the line This was not a dead‑rubber for mid‑table comfort; it was the 37th round of the Brasileirão, with Santos hovering dangerously close to the drop. They kicked off needing points to climb out of the relegation zone, while Juventude were already condemned to Serie B but still capable of turning the night into a nightmare for a fragile visitor. The pressure on Santos was immense. Results elsewhere involving direct rivals like Vitória and Internacional added further tension, with every goal in other s...
Jurgen Klopp has rejected the United States' initial overture to appoint him the new manager of the men's national team.
The US has named Klopp as a top target in their search for a new manager to replace Gregg Berhalter, whose second tenure in command of the USA ended last week with a group stage exit from the Copa America on home soil.
The Independent understands that first contact was made with Klopp about replacing the 50-year-old as the US prepares for the 2026 World Cup. The United States will co-host the event with Canada and Mexico, hoping to build on their Round of 16 exit in Qatar.
However, Klopp has declined the option to engage in formal conversations with the United States Soccer Federation.
Klopp left Liverpool at the end of the Premier League season, capping a revolutionary period at Anfield. During his nine years with the Merseyside club, the German helped the team win the Premier League for the first time in 30 years, as well as the Champions League.
When his departure was confirmed, the former Borussia Dortmund manager stated that he planned to take a sabbatical from management because he had "run out of energy."
A move to international football would provide a different challenge, free of the day-to-day pressures of club coaching. However, Klopp was not attracted by the thought of assuming the helm in America.
Berhalter stepped down just a year after resuming his post as head coach of the United States men's national team.
His team battled for consistency in the lead-up to the Copa America, and group-stage losses to Uruguay and Panama consigned them to an early exit.
"I want to thank Gregg for his hard work and dedication to US Soccer and our men's national team," US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone stated.
"We are now focused on working with our sporting director Matt Crocker and leveraging his experience at the highest levels of the sport to ensure we find the right person to lead the USMNT into a new era of on-field success."
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