da apostaganha： The ex-Leeds and RB Leipzig boss waited for the right job at the right time, and will now coach at a Copa America and World Cup

da bet7： This was a big decision from Jesse Marsch. Since his time at Leeds United came to an abrupt end in February 2023, the American manager has been biding his time, waiting for the right job to come along. That job, ultimately, was Canada's national team, who will give him the opportunity to manage at both a Copa America and a World Cup.

Many thought Marsch would be in charge at the 2026 World Cup, but few expected him to be there with Canada. For months, he was seen as a prime candidate for the U.S. men's national team, only for Gregg Berhalter to return. Now, there's an admittedly-slim chance Marsch could face off with the USMNT on the biggest of stages.

For Marsch, the Canada job comes with obvious benefits. It gets him back into management with a squad that seems well-suited to his style of play. It also gives him another opportunity to prove himself, to show he is a better manager than the one we saw at Leeds and RB Leipzig.

The risks? As he fights to regain his credibility, Canada offers no guarantees. Marsch will need to knock it out of the park if he ever wants to resume his European dream or become the head coach of the USMNT.

It all comes down to what Marsch can make of Canada. With his pedigree, he'll always have a job in MLS or in smaller leagues, but, if Marsch wants another crack at the big time, his road to 2026 will be make or break.

Getty ImagesReputation in need of repair

Back in 2021, Marsch seemed destined to achieve things no American coach had ever done before. No U.S.-born manager, save for his mentor Bob Bradley, had coached at the levels Marsch was heading for. However, Marsch's time at those levels didn't last long enough.

First came a disappointing spell at Leipzig, one which came on the heels of success at Red Bull Salzburg. At Leipzig's sister club, Marsch managed a young Erling Haaland to success, winning back-to-back domestic doubles to solidify Salzburg's place as kings of Austria.

Marsch never came close to reaching the same heights in Germany, however. He lasted just 17 games, amassing a record of seven wins, four draws and six losses before departing the club in December 2021.

Soon after, though, came Leeds, a move that has become known as a well-known disaster among American soccer fans. After helping the club survive relegation in his first half-season as Marcelo Bielsa's successor, Marsch signed USMNT midfielders Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson and Weston McKennie in a bid to boost his squad.

It turned into a nightmare, though, for all four, and Marsch was fired on February 6, 2023, less than one year after taking the job at Elland Road. The club, ultimately, was relegated.

AdvertisementGettyTurning down jobs

In the year and change since Marsch's Leeds dismissal, he's certainly been linked to his fair share of jobs, particularly in the weeks after his firing. Immediately after leaving Elland Road, Marsch was approached to take the Southampton job, which he declined, indicating that it was too soon to return to a relegation race. He was then offered the Leicester City job, but backed out of the running as well, correctly citing the club's eventual relegation as a reason to stay away.

Birmingham City came calling early in 2024, according to reports, but Marsch ultimately didn't succeed Wayne Rooney as manager of the Championship club. And then there was South Korea, who looked close to appointing Marsch to follow former USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann.

It seemed clear that Marsch was waiting for the right job and the right fit. And, in his own words, he was hoping that would come with another crack at the Premier League.

"I love the Premier League," he told in February, "and I love the power of what the league means globally, but honestly the true answer is I want to find like-minded people, who are committed to developing people, relationships and building something. I’ve been kind of hoping we can find some kind of connection back in the Premier League, but if that doesn’t come, I have to find what else is out there and what comes next for me."

Getty/GOALUSMNT links

At one point, Marsch seemed like he was destined for a potential dream job with the USMNT. Leading up to the 2026 World Cup, that role was particularly enticing; what could be more special than leading your national team, the one you played for in your day, into a World Cup on home soil?

Following Berhalter's initial departure in the aftermath of the 2022 World Cup, Marsch was seen as the prime candidate to replace him. Matt Crocker, brought in to be U.S, Soccer's sporting director, had interviewed Marsch at Southampton, establishing a connection between the two.

Ultimately, though, after a months-long process, U.S. Soccer turned back to Berhalter, who was given back the keys on the road to 2026. So what would that mean for Marsch?

Well, it could mean that the dream of 2026 was over, but it could also mean that it was delayed. With the Copa America coming, the U.S. will need to show they are on the right path, and anything less than a good run could put Berhalter on the hot seat. Marsch could have waited until after this summer and then taken stock of what jobs were available, whether they be at home or in Europe.

Instead, Marsch has jumped back in with Canada, who took a big swing to bring in the American boss.

Getty ImagesFeeling wanted

Marsch was one of several finalists for the Canada job, according to reports. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, Frank Lampard, Paul Clement had all been linked with the role at one point or another. Marsch is the chosen one, though, and Canada went all out to get him.

Marsch isn't just Canada's head coach, though; he's formally been appointed as "the MLS Canada Men's National Team Head Coach". That's because the country's three MLS clubs – CF Montreal, Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps – offered the federation big money to help push the deal over the line. It's ironic, of course, given the fact that Montreal fired Marsch just over a decade ago, and now they're helping to pay his salary.

Overall, Marsch was made to feel wanted, which helped push him towards the job. “Honestly, it was a relatively easy decision that, once we could see that the fit was really good, then it was just a matter of, ‘OK, how do we make this happen?’," Marsch said. "And I give a lot of credit to [Canada Soccer general secretary] Kevin Blue. He was one of the best recruiters I’ve ever known in my life. I knew they wanted me, I knew that they felt it was right. And that feeling, that connection we had, I think really motivated me to want to do this.”

He added: “I know Canada a bit. I coached there, I lived there and I understand the country, the multiculturalism, the passion for the game and the knowledge that I have and the things I know about the people and their desire and passion for the game, helped me understand what this responsibility is. It helped me understand how to help lead this country into the [2026 World Cup]. And certainly, I think it will help me also coach this team, just knowing a bit of the background of the football history and the people that have been involved. I think that, in general, my experience in Montreal will serve me really well in this role.”