Gregg Berhalter was re-appointed as the United States national team head coach on Friday, six months after his contract was allowed to run out amid an investigation into domestic violence.

The surprise move comes after US Soccer hired a consultancy firm to carry out a global search for the coach to lead the team towards the 2026 World Cup which the US is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.

"When I started this search, my focus was on finding someone with the right vision to take this program to new heights in 2026," said US sporting director Matt Crocker.

"Gregg has that vision, as well as the experience and growth mindset on and off the field to move this team forward," he added.

Berhalter, who led the team to the last 16 in the World Cup in Qatar last year, did not have his contract extended amid a bitter, public row with player Gio Reyna and his parents.

Part of the row included the revealing by Reyna's mother of a physical altercation in 1991 between Berhalter and his then girlfriend now wife, which prompted a US Soccer investigation.

Berhalter did not deny the allegation, apologised for his behaviour and the final report made clear that there was "no legal impediment to employing him" and that he "remains a candidate to serve as head coach".

While a number of coaches, including American former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch and former France international Patrick Vieira had been linked with the post, Berhalter enjoyed support from a number of key players on the US team, including captain Christian Pulisic.

"I want to thank Matt, and the entire U.S. Soccer Federation, for the trust they've placed in me," said Berhalter.

"I'm grateful to have the opportunity to build on our achievements at the World Cup and to contribute to this exciting time for soccer in our country.

"The entire group of players and staff have worked incredibly hard to establish our identity on and off the field. We look forward to continuing our journey together to make our fans and our nation proud," he added.

Despite Berhalter's appointment, interim head coach B.J. Callaghan will remain in charge of the team for Sunday's CONCACAF Nations League final in Las Vegas and this year's CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.

Crocker said that in the meantime he would "work collectively with Gregg on some of the big-picture items away from the team".

An Englishman, who was appointed by US Soccer in April after working at English Premier League club Southampton, Crocker said re-hiring Berhalter offered more than continuity.

"This isn't just business as usual and going back to how things have been in the past. We have a unique opportunity to evolve the team and improve moving forward, and I want us to take the time to consider how we do that collectively in partnership with Gregg," he said.

US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone suggested Berhalter's knowledge of the team had been an advantage.

"He knows the player pool better than anyone, and wearing the crest means a great deal to him. I am confident in Matt Crocker's thorough search process to identify the best candidate and know Gregg will lead the team toward a winning future," she said.

The US face Canada on Sunday in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League tournament in Las Vegas before begining their title defence of the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Jamaica in Chicago on June 24.