July 9 – Having led Canada to a surprise semi-final place in the Copa America, Jesse Marsch said he didn’t need success to prove his ability after he was fired by Leeds United in the English Premier League and then overlooked by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“I felt how strongly they wanted me here, and I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need all the other bull—-,” Marsch told a news conference ahead of today’s eagerly anticipated tie with defending champions Argentina.
“I don’t know how you say that in Spanish, OK?” he explained with a grin.
Marsch took over Leeds in February 2022 from Marcelo Bielsa with the team two points above the relegation zone and led them to a 17th-place finish, three points above the drop.
He was fired a year later with the team again in 17th and above the relegation zone on goal difference. Leeds duly finished 19th and were relegated.
The American was interviewed by the USSF last year before Gregg Berhalter was rehired and was then hired for the Canadian national team. The two countries are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico.
While Canada advanced to the semis in their first Copa America appearance, hosts U.S. were eliminated in the group stage.
“I never doubted my ability as a coach,” Marsh said. “What I’ve always doubted in this business is how do you find the right people to work with? And so the best thing about where I’m at right now is it feels home to me. It feels like I’m working with a group of players that I think value the things that I bring. I value the things that they’re about.”
Canada opened the Copa America with a 2-0 loss to Argentina, beat Peru 1-0 for a first win over a South American opponent in 24 years and advanced to the knockout rounds with a 0-0 draw against Chile.
They then won their quarter-final against Venezuela 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
“I think the Canadian Soccer Association is a humble but professional organization and that the new leadership is fantastic,” Marsch continued.
“The people in the country have been 100% behind us in what we’re doing with this team and you could take out the victories and the successes that we’ve had at this tournament. From day one, I’ve felt that. It’s the reason I came. It’s because I felt how strongly they wanted me here.”
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