May 14 – American Jesse Marsch is the new coach of Canada’s men’s national team after signing a contract through to the 2026 World Cup which the country is hosting with the USA and Mexico.
The former Leeds United and RB Leipzig manager will lead Canada at the Copa America later this year, the Gold Cup next year and the World Cup.
Marsch replaces Mauro Biello, who had been in interim charge since last August when John Herdman resigned to take up the managerial job at MLS side Toronto FC.
“This team is going to be something that the entire Canadian community is going to be so excited about and ready to support,” Marsch said during the announcement. “We’re going to play with power and inspiration, and we’re going to go for it. I can’t wait to get started.”
“It is an absolute honour to represent and lead the Canadian Men’s National Team in our preparation for a home World Cup. The combination of the new leadership inside of Canada Soccer coupled with the potential of this dynamic player pool has inspired me, and I am ready and eager to take on this massive responsibility.
“My excitement and anticipation to get started are immense. One of my main goals will be to help unite the soccer community in Canada to support our efforts to be successful on and off the pitch. All In for 2026!”
Marsch’s first games in charge will be friendlies against the Netherlands on June 6 and France on June 9.
Ironically, after Gregg Berhalter’s contract with the US men’s team was allowed to expire at the end of 2022, Marsch was reportedly a strong candidate for that job. But the U.S. Soccer Federation ultimately decided to go back to Berhalter following an investigation into a decades-old domestic violence incident.
The Canada post will be Marsch’s first since being fired by Leeds back in February of 2023. He had considerably more success with the New York Red Bulls and FC Red Bull Salzburg.
Canada has an automatic World Cup berth as 2026 co-host. They reached the World Cup finals in 2022 for the first time since 1986 but lost all three group games.
With Canada Soccer struggling financially, the hire was facilitated by ‘major philanthropic contributions’ from the owners of the three Canadian-based MLS clubs – Vancouver Whitecaps, CF Montreal and Toronto FC. Private donors also contributed.
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