USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann was fired on Monday on the back of two losses in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati did not name a replacement, although Los Angeles Galaxy tactician Bruce Arena has been linked with the vacant hotseat.

"While we remain confident that we have quality players to help us advance to Russia 2018, the form and growth of the team up to this point left us convinced that we need to go in a different direction," Gulati said.

"With the next qualifying match in late March, we have several months to refocus the group and determine the best way forward to ensure a successful journey to qualify for our eighth consecutive World Cup."

Klinsmann won the World Cup as a player with Germany in 1990, and had been coaching the US since 2011, recording 55 wins, 27 losses and 16 draws.

"We want to thank Jurgen for his hard work and commitment during these last five years," Gulati added. "He took pride in having the responsibility of steering the program and there were considerable achievements along the way."

Despite Klinsmann's success, his side were fourth in the Gold Cup last year and lost a playoff to Mexico for a berth in next year's Confederations Cup, before tripping in the final rounds of North American (CONCACAF) qualifying for Russia, losing 2-1 at home to Mexico and 4-0 in Costa Rica.