Jesse Marsch once turned down Leicester City because senior figures at U.S. Soccer told him to wait — that the USMNT job was essentially his. Then they rehired Gregg Berhalter instead. Now Marsch is in Toronto, preparing to lead Canada into a home World Cup. The Americans hired Mauricio Pochettino.
It's the kind of backstory that writes itself, and it gives the 2026 tournament one of its genuinely compelling subplots before a ball has been kicked.
From MLS journeyman to Red Bull disciple to Premier League pioneer
Marsch grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, played college soccer at Princeton, and was drafted by D.C. United in the 1996 MLS College Draft. Thirteen years as a professional midfielder — D.C. United, Chicago Fire, Chivas USA — gave him the tactical education that would shape what came next.
His coaching career started on Bob Bradley's staff at the 2010 World Cup. He then became the founding head coach of the Montreal Impact before taking over the New York Red Bulls in 2015, where the high-pressing system that defines his work really took shape. That got him into the Red Bull network in Europe: a stint under Ralf Rangnick at RB Leipzig, then two seasons running Red Bull Salzburg, where he won back-to-back league and cup doubles. He returned to Leipzig as head coach before moving to Leeds United — becoming the longest-serving American manager in Premier League history before being sacked in February 2023.
Canada came calling in May 2024, just weeks before the Copa América. He became the first American to coach the Canadian men's national team.
The USMNT door that opened, then didn't
Marsch has been candid about what happened after Leeds. He believed he was the frontrunner to replace Berhalter, and claims U.S. Soccer officials actively discouraged him from taking the Leicester job while his candidacy was under consideration. Then Berhalter was rehired. Marsch said the job was "pulled" from him.
Berhalter's second stint ended after a poor Copa América in 2024. U.S. Soccer then went for Pochettino. So the sequence is: Marsch waits, gets passed over twice, and ends up building something real with Canada instead.
In 29 matches under Marsch, Canada have recorded 12 wins, 12 draws and five defeats. They reached the Copa América semifinals. They open Group B at the 2026 World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto, with Switzerland and Qatar also in the group — a draw that gives them a legitimate path to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
With Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David leading the attack, Canada's odds of advancing from the group are worth taking seriously. Marsch's pressing system suits that squad, and he's had over a year to embed it. If Canada do make the knockout rounds, the conversation about the USMNT job that never was will get very loud, very fast.
