Former U.S. men's national team manager Bruce Arena is a candidate to be the next general manager of Columbus Crew SC, multiple sources have told ESPN FC.
When contacted by ESPN FC, Arena declined to comment.
The Crew is currently without a GM and head coach in the wake of Gregg Berhalter's appointment as manager of the U.S. men's national team. The search is being conducted by the team's presumptive owners, the Haslam Family as well as Dr. Peter Edwards, who are in negotiations to buy the team from Precourt Sports Ventures.
Sources said that Arena is being looked at solely for the GM post and not the head coaching role, while current Crew assistant Josh Wolff and former Portland Timbers manager Caleb Porter are both in contention for the manager's job.
A source close to the prospective ownership group said they are "still actively interviewing coach and GM candidates" and that they are "not in a position to comment" further.
Arena, 67, remains one of the most decorated coaches in MLS history. Starting in 1996 he won two MLS Cups, a Supporters' Shield, a U.S. Open Cup and a CONCACAF Champions Cup with D.C. United.
Following his first stint as U.S. manager -- one in which he led the U.S. to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup -- as well as a 15-month spell in charge of the New York Red Bulls, Arena took over as GM and head coach of the LA Galaxy in 2008.
During his eight years in Los Angeles, Arena led the Galaxy to three MLS Cups and two Supporters' Shields. He then took over the U.S. for the second time in November of 2016, but was unable to take the team to the 2018 World Cup. He resigned in October of 2017 and has been out of work since. His all-time regular season record in MLS is 325-125-177.
Arena also coached collegiately at the University of Virginia from 1978 to 1996, winning five NCAA College Cup titles with the men's team.