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Report: USMNT rejects Lopetegui approach

David Aliaga/MB Media / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Apparently a run of two years sans defeat in charge of Spain reportedly doesn't meet the requirements of the U.S. men's national team managerial search.

According to Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl, the USMNT's probe for a full-time boss was too far along to entertain the prospects of hiring former La Roja and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui.

Lopetegui, who was sacked by Real the last week of October following an El Clasico bludgeoning at the hands of Barcelona, reportedly approached U.S. soccer through an intermediary to inquire about the position.

Columbus Crew boss Gregg Berhalter is the overwhelming favorite to replace interim Dave Sarachan as full-time manager. Sarachan watched on as the U.S. slumped to a 1-0 defeat in an international friendly versus Italy on Tuesday in Genk, Belgium where the CONCACAF giants were largely outplayed and had just 27 percent possession.

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