Gregg Berhalter begins a new chapter with Chicago Fire.

Gregg Berhalter and Joe Mansueto are setting some ambitious goals for the Chicago Fire as the former U.S. men’s national team coach takes charge of the club’s soccer operations.

They’re aiming high, with plans for a winter roster overhaul, a strong identity on the field, an end to the team’s seven-year playoff drought, and even a possible soccer-specific stadium in the city someday. At Berhalter’s official introduction as the new director of football and head coach, both he and Mansueto were ready to embrace the “make no little plans” philosophy of Daniel Burnham, a famous Chicago architect and civic leader.

“We want to be a player-first club,” Berhalter said, marking his return to MLS after coaching the Columbus Crew from 2013-18. “We want to put players at the center of everything we do, making sure every department is working to help them reach their potential. This offseason is an opportunity to bring in top-quality players—game-changers who can elevate the team to the top 5% of the league. We’re not looking at this as a five-year rebuild; we want to be successful right away.”

Big Plans from the Start

While this hiring may seem like a perfect fit, the process wasn’t straightforward. When previous sporting director Georg Heitz announced his plan to return to Europe after the 2024 season, the Fire considered about 80 candidates for the role, eventually narrowing it down to three—two domestic candidates and one international. A three-hour meeting with Berhalter convinced Mansueto that he was the right choice, with the former coach’s passion for the job shining through.

“I wanted someone who was just as eager for this opportunity as we were,” said Mansueto. “Not just someone doing it for the money or a nice stay in the U.S. We’ve often been called the sleeping giant of MLS; being a top-three market, we should be at the top. Gregg really showed he was committed to that vision.”

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Diving In

After accepting the offer, Berhalter wasted no time getting started. “We made him an offer on a Friday, he accepted, and by Saturday he was at my house, working on the roster,” Mansueto said. “It’s clear he’s all in, and it’s exciting to see that level of commitment.”

Berhalter opened up about the tough times following his departure from the USMNT after a disappointing Copa América exit, admitting that he went through a period of self-reflection. “When you get fired, it’s like mourning a loss. It’s a tough time, but for me, being with my family helped me process it,” he shared. “You get hungry again. When I started looking at new opportunities, I kept coming back to Chicago. The potential here, and working with someone like Joe, made it the obvious choice.”

Staying Local for a Change

Berhalter’s decision to stay in Chicago wasn’t just about soccer; it was also about stability for his family. “As a player and coach, you’re always moving around. This was a chance for my family to stay in one place, for my daughter to graduate high school here. The opportunity in Europe may still come someday, but for now, this is where I need to be.”

A Dual Role

Taking on both the director of football and head coaching duties is a rare move in MLS, but it’s not new to Berhalter. He held a similar dual role during his time with the Columbus Crew, and he’s ready for the challenge again, albeit with some lessons learned. “I used to work from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day for five years, and it aged me—I’ve got the bald head to prove it,” he joked. “Now, it’s about building a leadership team to handle different responsibilities together, like player transfers and recruitment.”

Building for the Future

As Berhalter tackles the on-field challenges, the Fire are also making strides off the pitch. The team is moving into a new state-of-the-art training facility on the Near West Side, which Berhalter considers one of the best in MLS. Meanwhile, Mansueto hinted at the club’s long-term dream of building a soccer-specific stadium within the city limits.

“We’ve been touring potential sites, and it’s the last piece of the puzzle,” Mansueto said, mentioning the challenges they face as co-tenants at Soldier Field. “Having our own stadium is the ideal scenario, and we’re actively looking for the right location in Chicago. If we find it, we’ll make it happen.”

With Berhalter’s passion and Mansueto’s vision, the Fire are poised for a transformation, aiming to make their mark on the league sooner rather than later.