Canadian men’s national team coach Jesse Marsch has slammed the door on the possibility of ever taking charge of his home country’s soccer team.
Marsch was previously considered as a finalist for the position following the lapse of Gregg Berhalter’s contract following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
But despite a scandal surrounding him, the US Soccer Federation re-hired Berhalter and left Marsch looking for his next move.
The former RB Leipzig and Leeds United coach found it in Canada – where he has gone on to lead Les Rouges to their first World Cup win ever, their first World Cup knockout stage win ever and their first appearance in the Round of 16.
If those results from a rival nation weren’t enough, the Wisconsin native made it plain in an interview with Time Magazine that – despite his nationality – he has no desire to coach his home country.
‘I’m proud to be an American,’ Marsch said when asked how he feels about leading Canada on the Fourth of July – which this year marks the United States’ 250th birthday after declaring independence from Great Britain. ‘But I’m an expat. I live in Italy, I live in Mexico. I haven’t celebrated the Fourth of July in I don’t even know how long.’
Jesse Marsch, the American-born coach of Canada’s World Cup team, stressed that he will never coach his home nation’s national team and ‘doesn’t care’ about the job anymore
Marsch said that he doesn’t wish any ill-will towards the USMNT or Mauricio Pochettino
Marsch and his Canada team will play Morocco in Houston in their first ever Round of 16 clash
He then went on to say that those who believe he wants to coach the USMNT are dead wrong.
‘People like to say, “Oh, he wishes he coached the national team.” Let me make it really clear: I never will coach the U.S. national team,’ Marsch said. ‘Ever. And that’s no problem.’
‘There was the possibility of me at one point, but I’m done with it. I don’t even care anymore. I don’t wish ill will against the U.S. I want the U.S. to do well.
‘I like Pochettino, and I like a bunch of the players. But people need to stop making a deal out of me in the U.S.’
Marsch will have a serious task ahead of him on Saturday when his Canada team takes on heavily favored Morocco in Houston.
Even if Marsch wanted to be patriotic, the task before him is too important to be wrapped up in the holiday.
‘So what will I be thinking on July 4? I will be thinking, I hope I’ve done everything I can to give my team the best chance to win this match. There’s nothing else to it,’ Marsch admitted.
‘Even if people want to talk about why do I talk in the middle [of the field], or why do I get emotional on the bench, or whatever, it’s because this is who I am. This is what I care about. That’s it.’
