Jesse Marsch could have been preparing for this summer’s Copa America as the USMNT’s new head coach. Widely considered one of the favourites for the role following the 2022 World Cup, the former Leeds and RB Leipzig boss interviewed for the job. Ultimately, though, US Soccer decided to retain Gregg Berhalter in the position he’s held since 2018.
By Graham Ruthven
This experience might have pushed Marsch towards the international management he would ultimately take with the 50-year-old named Canada’s new head coach last week. “I wasn’t treated very well in the process,” said Marsch when recalling interviewing for the USMNT position. “And so, whatever man, that’s in the past now. The minute it was done I was like, ‘OK, I’m moving forward, and I’m going to figure out what’s right for me.’”
Marsch stopped short of calling his Canada decision a revenge mission, but the narrative has already been established whether he likes it or not. The rivalry between Canada and the USA is already one of the fiercest in international football, but Marsch’s move north of the border will only increase the tension.
Having been drawn on opposite sides of the bracket, Canada and the USA won’t meet at this summer’s Copa America unless both nations make a run to the final. “I’m sure we’ll play the US a few times before the World Cup comes around so I’ll be looking forward to those matches,” Marsch said about facing the USMNT. “Familiarity with things brings out competitive juices.”
That Canada Soccer was able to lure Marsch was surprising to many. The 50-year-old had hinted several times that his next job would be in Europe – and that he wanted to return to club football. Reports that South Korea had spoken to Marsch suggested for the first time that he would be open to an international job, but Canada stole a march on the Taegeuk Warriors.
As Canada manager, Marsch will have plenty to work with on the pitch. After decades in the CONCACAF wilderness, Canada finished top of the final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying, ahead of regional superpowers Mexico and the USA, and while the tournament itself was something of a disappointment, a certain standard has been set.
Talent won’t be an issue for Marsch in his new job. Alphonso Davies is a key figure for Bayern Munich and could be on his way to Real Madrid this summer with the Spanish giants on the lookout for a new long-term left-back. For Canada, though, Davies usually players higher up the pitch.
Jonathan David has a claim to being the best centre-forward in CONCACAF right now while Porto’s Stephen Eustáquio is proven at the highest level. Tajon Buchanan continues to catch the eye for Inter after joining the Serie A club in January while Cyle Larin is making an impression for Mallorca in La Liga. Then there’s Ismaël Koné who is developing in the Championship with Watford.
Under John Herdman, Canada played a quick-transition game. There were elements of ‘Red Bull football’ in the way they qualified for the 2022 World Cup and that should suit Marsch who coached the New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg, and RB Leipzig. Marsch’s style of play is surely one of the things that led Canada Soccer to hire him.
Off the pitch, Marsch might face a greater challenge. Canada Soccer has suffered financial peril in recent times thanks to an ill-judged commercial deal that limited what the revenue its national teams could generate through TV rights, ticket sales and shirt sales. It was a situation that culminated in Canada’s women’s national team going on strike.
The hiring of Marsch has been partially funded by Canada’s three MLS clubs – CF Montreal, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps – in a move that underlines the lack of finance at federation level, but also highlights the opportunity in front of the national team. This could be a golden era for Canadian football with the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
Naturally, Canada measure themselves against the USMNT. They certainly had the measure of their rivals from the south in the last World Cup qualification campaign and they now have a new head coach who could have been on the other side of the divide. Success with Canada would be the perfect way for Marsch to prove a point.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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