While the search for a new coach was in full swing, another potential candidate closed the door on the vacancy at the U.S. national team.
After being eliminated from the 2024 Copa America, the U.S. team parted ways with coach Gregg Berhalter. His dismissal leaves the U.S. Soccer Federation scrambling to find the next person to take over what many are calling the team’s “golden age.”
On Friday, Canadian coach Jesse Marsh quickly decided to cancel the opening south of the Canadian border.
“I’m not leaving this job,” Marsch said. “I have no interest in working in the U.S.”
That he is not interested in the job comes as no surprise, as he has been turned down for the position several times in the past.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch has not expressed interest in the vacancy for coach of the U.S. national team
The USMNT are searching for their next coach since the firing of Gregg Berhalter after the Copa America
In 2022, Marsch applied for the then-vacant position upon the expiration of Berhalter’s old contract. However, the USSF opted to bring Berhalter in for a second term – a decision that blew up in their faces this year.
Last May, American-born March was vocal in his criticism of the USMNT and USSF over his experiences during the hiring process, saying he was “not treated very well.”
Nevertheless, he found immediate success in the north, leading Canada to the semi-finals of the Copa America in their first tournament appearance. Despite losing to Argentina, Canada fared much better than the US, who were eliminated by consecutive losses to Panama and Uruguay in the group stage.
March led Canada to the Copa America semi-finals in their first tournament appearance
The US national team was knocked out of the group stage after losing to Panama and Uruguay
Canada would go on to lose 2-0 to Argentina in the 2024 Copa America semi-final at MetLife Stadium
The Americans’ campaign was an embarrassment, as they became the first host nation in the tournament’s history to be eliminated in the group stage.
“And to be honest, unless there’s a major shift in the organization, I don’t think I’ll ever be interested in that job again in the future,” Marsch added. “So I’m really happy here, I couldn’t be happier in terms of what it’s like to work with the leaders in this organization and what it’s like to work with this team.”
In addition to his international experience, Marsch has an impressive club coaching resume. The Racine, Wisconsin native has coached the New York Red Bulls in the MLS, Leeds in England, Red Bull Leipzig in Germany and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
The USMNT opening was reportedly rejected by former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
The position has also been linked with Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate
Southgate will lead England when they play Spain in the UEFA European Championship final on Sunday
To add insult to injury, US Soccer was reportedly suspended by Jurgen Klopp after he confronted the former Liverpool manager about the start of the match.
After the ambitious shot fell through, the vacancy was linked with Marsch, Mauricio Pochettino and Gareth Southgate, who leads England in Sunday’s European Championship final against Spain.
“I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need all those other bulls anymore,” Marsh said after Monday’s loss.
“I want to do things that I want to do. I want to love the game that I love again, and this team has helped me find that, and I’m very grateful for that.”