Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Coach Jesse Marsch, who led Canada to the Copa America semifinals, said he didn't need success to prove his ability after being fired by Leeds and overlooked by the U.S. Soccer Federation.
“I felt strongly that they invited me here and I'm at a stage in my life where I don't need any other nonsense,” Marsch said at a press conference ahead of Tuesday's match against Argentina.
he laughed during Monday's news conference, which was being simultaneously translated.
“I don't know how to say that in Spanish,” he explained with a grin.
Marsh took over as Leeds manager from Marcelo Bielsa in February 2022 with the team two points above the relegation zone and finished the season in 17th place, three points above them. He was sacked a year later with the team in 17th place, above the relegation zone on goal difference, and Leeds were relegated to the League Championship second division in 19th place.
Marsh interviewed with the USSF last year before Gregg Berhalter was rehired, and Canada named the 50-year-old Marsh as national team coach in May. Canada advanced to its first Copa America appearance, but the hosts, the United States, were eliminated in the group stage.
“I've never doubted my ability as a coach,” Marsh said, “The thing I've always wondered about in this job is how do I find the right people to work with. So the best thing about where I'm at is I feel comfortable. I feel like I'm working with guys that appreciate what I bring to the table, and I appreciate them.”
Canada hasn't played in a World Cup since 1986, when it qualified for the 2022 tournament under coach John Herdman and went 0-3 in Qatar. Herdman took over as head coach of Major League Soccer's Toronto in August after accusing the Canadian Soccer Association of failing to provide the national team with the financial support and resources it needed.
Marsh was hired after Peter Augruso took over as CSA chairman, succeeding Charmaine Crooks.
“The Canadian Soccer Association is a modest but professional organization and I think the new leadership is fantastic,” Marsh said. “The people of this country are 100 per cent behind what we're doing with this team and any wins or successes we've had in this tournament are because of that. I've felt that from day one and that's why I came, because I felt they were keen to have me here.”
Marsch's first two games in European football were friendlies, a 4-0 loss in the Netherlands and a 0-0 draw in France.
Canada lost 0-2 to defending champion Argentina in the opening match of the Copa America, but beat Peru 1-0 to record their first victory over a South American team in 24 years, and then drew 0-0 with Chile to advance to the final tournament.
Canada faced Venezuela in the quarterfinals and won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 tie.
“I want to do what I want to do,” Marsh said. “I want to fall in love with the game I love again, and this team has helped me find that, and I'm very grateful.”
A standout at Princeton, Marsh played for the U.S. national team twice and served as an assistant to Bob Bradley on the national team from 2010-11.
He coached Montreal (2011-12) and New York Red Bulls (2015-18) in Major League Soccer before being promoted to coach sister club Red Bull Salzburg in Austria (2019-21) and RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, but was fired midway through his first season in the Bundesliga in December 2021.
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AP Copa America coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/copa-america
