Canada Soccer has identified Jesse Marsch, a coach with top-level club experience in England, Germany, Austria and North America, to replace John Herdman.
And by hiring the 50-year-old American to run the men’s national team until July 2026, when Canada co-hosts the World Cup with Mexico and the United States, the much-criticized governing body demonstrated a new way of doing business.
New CEO and executive director Kevin Blue drew skepticism from many last month when he pointed to philanthropy as a way to help Canadian soccer’s battered bottom line. On Monday, he delivered on that score.
“Jesse is a transformational leader who will lead the development of the men’s national team and Canadian soccer more broadly as we enter one of the most important periods in our country’s sports history,” Blue said in a statement.
Marsch’s hiring was prompted by “significant philanthropic donations” from the owners of three Canadian-based MLS clubs: Vancouver Whitecaps, CF Montreal (Joey Saputo) and Toronto FC (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment), along with other individual donors. It is said to have been supplemented by. To Canadian Soccer.
I don’t think the promise would have been made without it.
There is an announcement…#CANMNT🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/TMW6f2LU51
Marsch’s coaching resume includes Leeds United, RB Leipzig, Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact (now CF Montreal). His last job was at Leeds, where they sacked him in February 2023 after one year in the role.
Marsch exudes enthusiasm and confidence about the virtual availability of Tuscany, Italy, saying it is a good fit for Canada.
He said, “It’s been a long time since I worked, and it was a time to reflect and have a lot of conversations.”
“Ultimately, I was looking for something that inspired me,” Marsch added. “It was a relatively easy decision, honestly, from a football perspective. Once we made sure the fit was really good, it was just a matter of ‘how can we make this happen?’”
Marsch said the quality of the Canadian players helped him make his decision, citing “raw athleticism and team speed.”
“Without the talent of this group, the conversation would have been different,” he said. “And I think the way I think about football and the quality of this player pool are a really good fit and will allow us to go even further than what we already have a very successful team.”
His first game for Team Canada will be a big one.
Copa America is coming
The 49th-ranked Canadian men’s team will face No. 9 Netherlands in Rotterdam on June 6 and World No. 2 France in Bordeaux on June 9. They then advance to the Copa America as one of six CONCACAF guest teams.
Canada will be placed in a group with Argentina (No. 1 in the world), Peru (No. 32 in the world), and Chile (No. 42 in the world) at the Copa America (16 teams) to be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14. done.
A former United States international, Marsh played 14 seasons for D.C. United, Chicago Fire and Chivas USA from 1996 to 2009.
That coaching resume will help him earn the respect of a Canadian team that is at odds with its governing body and has yet to resolve an ongoing labor dispute.
Blue also scored points by involving former Canadian internationals Tosaint Ricketts, Atiba Hutchinson and Rob Friend during candidate interviews. During the search, Canada Soccer said it had received “additional recruits” from former Canadian internationals Josh Simpson and Julian de Guzman, veteran coaches Valerio Gazzola and Tony Fonseca, and others. It was stated that a “negotiation” had been reached.
Former York United CEO and president Angus McNab also took part.
Looking for Herdman’s successor
The Canadians have been without a permanent coach since Herdman resigned last August to take over at Toronto FC.
Head coach Mauro Biello has since served as interim coach. The former Canadian international was a permanent candidate.
“In recognition of their significant charitable support, Marsh’s position will be officially named as head coach of the MLS Canada Men’s National Team for the duration of his first contract,” Canada Soccer said in a statement.
“This type of donor recognition is common in universities and hospitals and NCAA sports, and is beginning to be used in the Canadian sports system, such as Golf Canada’s support of the Stollery Family women’s national team head coach.”
Finding a permanent replacement for Herdman took time.
Canadian Soccer looked to hire a secretary first and then a male coach. However, the schedule was delayed because former MLSE executive Allyson Walker was hired but did not take over as executive director in January, citing undisclosed personal reasons.
The search resumed after Blue was appointed in late February.
