Canada Soccer has officially announced the appointment of Jesse Marsch, the former manager of Leeds United and RB Leipzig, as the new coach of their men’s national team.
Marsch steps into the role previously held by John Herdman, who departed to join Toronto FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) last season.
The announcement was made through a video posted on the Canada men’s team Twitter account, where Marsch was informed of his selection via FaceTime.
The decision to appoint Marsch was supported by contributions from the owners of the three Canadian-based MLS teams: the Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, and CF Montreal.
Consequently, Marsch’s official title is designated as the ‘MLS Canada Men’s National Team Head Coach’.
In his statement following the announcement, Marsch expressed his honor and eagerness to lead the Canadian Men’s National Team, especially in preparation for the upcoming home World Cup.
Marsch emphasized his commitment to uniting the soccer community in Canada to achieve success both on and off the pitch, stating his readiness to take on the significant responsibility of leading the team.
Kevin Blue, CEO of Canada Soccer, lauded Marsch as a transformational leader who will drive progress for the men’s national team and Canadian soccer as a whole.
Blue highlighted Marsch’s track record of success at the highest levels of global football and his experience in advancing a Concacaf nation in the FIFA World Cup.
Facing Early Challenges: Marsch’s Tough Opening Matches
While Marsch’s appointment signals a new era for Canadian soccer, he faces a challenging start to his tenure as the national team coach.
His first tasks include warm-up matches against formidable opponents such as Holland and France, followed by participation in the Copa America this summer.
The Copa America journey begins with a match against reigning champions Argentina, with subsequent fixtures against Peru and Chile.
Marsch’s last coaching stint was with Leeds United, where he helped the team avoid relegation in his debut season.
However, despite a promising start to the 2022-23 season, Leeds experienced a decline in performance, leading to Marsch’s dismissal with the team languishing in 17th place.
Prior to his tenure at Leeds United, Marsch gained managerial experience in Canada with the Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal), followed by stints at the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg in Europe.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks in his coaching career, Marsch remains determined to make a significant impact on Canadian soccer.
His appointment represents a new chapter for the men’s national team, with hopes of achieving success in upcoming competitions and fostering unity within the Canadian soccer community.
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