Jesse Marsch has insisted he has zero interest in the vacant job as head coach of the United States men’s national team.
“I have no interest in the U.S. job,” the Canada head coach said, on the eve of their Copa America third-place playoff against Uruguay in Charlotte, NC.
“And to be fair, unless there’s a big shift in the organization, I don’t think I’ll ever have any interest in that job in the future.”
The former Leeds United and New York Red Bulls manager has been linked with the USMNT job in the past, including when the U.S Soccer Federation were deciding whether to retain Gregg Berhalter after the 2022 World Cup. They chose to stick with Berhalter, and intended for him to lead them at the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
But he was sacked earlier this week after the USMNT failed to advance from a Copa America group that included Uruguay, Panama and Bolivia. Uruguay and Panama qualified for the quarter-finals, while USMNT finished third.
When appointed Canada manager in May, Marsch was critical of the way that he was treated during that process last year.
“My respect for U.S. Soccer is big, but I went through a process with them, right? And I’m not going to go into it, but I wasn’t treated very well in the process,” Marsch told CBS’ Call it What You Want podcast.
“And so, whatever man, that’s in the past now. The minute it was done I was like, ‘OK, I’m moving forward, and I’m going to figure out what’s right for me.’”
While USMNT stumbled in Copa America, his Canada team have excelled. They went on a brilliant run to the semi-finals, before losing to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
When asked about U.S. Soccer’s decision to dismiss Berhalter, Marsch said: “I wish them luck (in replacing him). I hope they find the right person to lead the team.”
The Athletic reported on Thursday that the former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had rebuffed an approach from U.S Soccer regarding the vacancy.
Argentina play Colombia in the final in Miami on Sunday.
(Omar Vega/Getty Images)
