Where is Anthony Hudson Going After Leaving USMNT?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Jun 07, 2023
Who is Anthony Hudson?
Anthony Patrick Hudson, born on March 11, 1981, is an English-American professional association football manager who currently holds the position of head coach at Al-Markhiya SC. What makes Hudson stand out is his remarkable achievement of becoming one of the youngest coaches ever to obtain the UEFA Pro Licence, which is considered the highest coaching award in football. This significant accomplishment was attained in 2012 when he showcased his dedication and expertise in the field of coaching.
Throughout his career, Hudson has managed two international teams and tasted success by winning two international tournaments. Notably, under his leadership, the teams qualified for both the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. His involvement in these prestigious competitions solidified his reputation as a skilled manager.
In fact, Hudson holds the distinction of being the youngest manager in FIFA Confederations Cup history, a testament to his precocious talent and ability to lead a team on the global stage.
Hudson's journey in football began as a player in the youth system of West Ham United, a Premier League club in England. He later had a loan spell with Luton Town before ultimately signing a two-year contract with NEC Nijmegen, a team in the Dutch First Division. However, after six months, Hudson made the decision to request a release and returned to his home country of England.
His passion for the game then led him across the Atlantic to the United States, where he joined the Wilmington Hammerheads, a club in the lower divisions of American soccer. During his time with the team, he made appearances in 10 league matches, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the sport.
Anthony Hudson's story is one of curiosity and ambition. His pursuit of coaching excellence at a young age, along with his international successes and diverse playing experiences, have shaped him into a notable figure in the world of football management
Where is Anthony Hudson Going After Leaving USMNT?
After stepping down as the head coach of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) one week ago, Anthony Hudson has swiftly returned to the world of football. He recently signed a two-year contract with Al-Markhiya SC, a football club based in Qatar.
Hudson's departure from his role as head coach of the USMNT came about due to the decision not to extend his contract with US Soccer beyond August 1. In light of this, B.J. Callaghan has been appointed as the interim coach, taking charge of the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League matches and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Hudson's new venture with Al-Markhiya SC marks his return to active coaching, and he is expected to contribute his expertise and leadership to the Qatari club. This move presents an opportunity for Hudson to continue his coaching career and make a positive impact on the development of football in the region.
Anthony Hudson Leaves USMNT
The U.S. Soccer Federation made an announcement on Tuesday stating that Anthony Hudson, the interim manager of the United States men's national team, will be leaving his position to pursue a new role. It has been confirmed by sources, including ESPN and Keith Costigan, that Hudson will be taking on a head-coaching role in the Middle East.
As a result, B.J. Callaghan, who currently serves as an assistant for the USMNT, will be stepping in as the interim manager for both the Concacaf Nations League and the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Matt Crocker, the sporting director of the USSF, expressed confidence in Callaghan's ability to lead the team during the summer tournaments. He acknowledged the significant contribution Callaghan has made as part of the USMNT staff over the past four years, emphasizing his involvement in the growth and development of the young team.
The USSF thanked Anthony Hudson for his outstanding work during his five-month tenure as interim manager and wished him success in his future endeavors.
B.J. Callaghan has an extensive background in coaching, having served as an assistant coach for the USMNT for the past four years. Initially joining as a strategy analyst, he was later promoted to assistant coach ahead of the 2021 Nations League. Callaghan holds the distinction of being the longest-serving member of the USMNT technical staff.
Prior to his time with the national team, he spent seven years with the Philadelphia Union, working at the Union Academy for two years before serving as a first-team assistant coach under Jim Curtin for five years. Additionally, Callaghan has experience as both a player and an assistant coach at Ursinus College and Villanova.
In his statement, Callaghan expressed his understanding of the responsibility that comes with the job and his honor at having the opportunity to build upon the progress made by the team in recent years. He emphasized the strong team culture and shared understanding of the style of play that has been developed, expressing the intention to continue building on that progress. Callaghan set a clear goal of defending both the Concacaf titles won by the U.S. men's team.
The managerial position for the U.S. men's team has been vacant since the expiration of Gregg Berhalter's contract at the end of 2022. Berhalter's contract was not renewed amid an investigation into a domestic violence incident from 1992 involving him and his wife. While the investigation found that the incident had been accurately portrayed, and Berhalter was cleared for hiring, the managerial role has remained open. The USSF spokesperson confirmed that there have been no changes regarding Berhalter's candidacy.
Matt Crocker stated last week that the USSF aims to have a full-time manager in place by the end of the summer. However, the decision to appoint a second interim manager raises questions about the delay in filling the position permanently. Crocker had previously emphasized the importance of the hiring process, stating that the chosen coach would have a significant impact on the future of the program, and that a thoughtful and thorough evaluation would be conducted.
After five months as interim manager and two years as a USMNT assistant, Anthony Hudson departs from his role with the team. During his tenure, he oversaw the U.S. team in five matches, achieving a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws. Notably, Hudson led the team to victories against Grenada and El Salvador in the Concacaf Nations League, securing a spot in the semifinals where they will face Mexico on June 15.
Hudson expressed his gratitude to U.S. Soccer for the opportunity to work with the talented group of players and staff. He expressed his confidence in B.J. Callaghan's leadership and conveyed his excitement to support the team's continued growth and success. The coaching staff that will work alongside B.J. Callaghan has yet to be determined.
What is USMNT?
The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) represents the United States in international men's soccer competitions and is under the jurisdiction of the United States Soccer Federation. The team holds membership in both FIFA and CONCACAF, the continental governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Throughout its history, the U.S. team has participated in eleven FIFA World Cups. Their first appearance was in 1930, where they achieved an impressive semi-final finish, securing third place—an accomplishment unparalleled by any team outside of UEFA and CONMEBOL. Subsequently, they competed in the 1934 and 1950 World Cups, with the latter hosting a historic victory over England with a score of 1-0. However, the team faced a prolonged absence from the tournament until 1990.
As hosts in 1994, the U.S. team earned an automatic qualification but exited the tournament in the round of sixteen after a loss to Brazil. They then qualified for the following five World Cups, establishing themselves as consistent participants and frequently advancing to the knockout stages. Notably, they reached the quarter-finals in 2002, with a memorable and disputed defeat against Germany.
In the 2009 Confederations Cup, the U.S. team made a remarkable achievement by eliminating top-ranked Spain in the semi-finals, ultimately finishing as runners-up to Brazil in the tournament's final.
In addition to World Cup participation, the U.S. team competes in continental tournaments such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa América. They have claimed victory in the Gold Cup on seven occasions and emerged as the inaugural champions of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Furthermore, the team secured fourth-place finishes in the Copa América tournaments of 1995 and 2016. Currently, the team is led by interim head coach B.J. Callaghan, assuming the role since May 2023. Brian McBride previously served as the team's general manager, but he left the position in January 2023.
Where is Anthony Hudson Going After Leaving USMNT - FAQs
Anthony Hudson is an English-American professional association football manager who is currently serving as the head coach of Al-Markhiya SC.
Anthony Hudson became one of the youngest coaches to earn the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching award in football, in 2012. He has managed two international teams and achieved success by winning two international tournaments.
Anthony Hudson has managed the New Zealand national team and the Bahrain national team during his coaching career.
Under Anthony Hudson's leadership, the teams he managed successfully qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. They also won these international tournaments, showcasing Hudson's coaching prowess.
Anthony Hudson started his playing career in the youth system at Premier League club West Ham United. He later had loan spells at Luton Town and played for Dutch First Division team NEC Nijmegen. He also had a stint with the Wilmington Hammerheads, a lower division club in the United States.