Podcast Summary: The Athletic meets… Jesse Marsch

Podcast: The Athletic FC Podcast
Host(s): Ayo Akimwolere, with Adam Crafton and David Ornstein
Guest: Jesse Marsch (Canada National Team Head Coach)
Date: December 28, 2025
Location of Interview: New York
Episode Theme: Jesse Marsch reflects on his journey, philosophies as Canada Men’s National Team head coach ahead of World Cup 2026, and wide-ranging insights on management, culture, and the game’s evolution in North America.

Overview

This engaging episode features an in-depth conversation with Jesse Marsch, the American manager now leading the Canadian Men’s National Team into a historic home World Cup. Marsch shares his ambitions, the unique challenges and opportunities of building Canadian soccer’s legacy, and his personal journey through coaching at the highest levels on both sides of the Atlantic. The discussion ranges from tournament expectations and pressures, to the development of Canadian football, modern football culture, management approaches, and Marsch’s reflections on figures like Erling Haaland and Gareth Southgate.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Success and “Legacy” for Canada at the World Cup

[03:29–07:16]

• Marsch distances himself from the idea of personal legacy, emphasizing collective achievement and national progress:

  “I hate the word legacy... I don’t use it for myself because I think it reflects too much on me and not enough on the overall picture of what’s being created.” (Jesse Marsch, 03:30)

• For Marsch, success is defined as reaching (and aiming to win) the group stage:

  “Bare minimum, we have to get out of the group... The only way we stay in Canada for the knockout round is win the group.” (Jesse Marsch, 03:38)

• He underscores that the squad, more experienced in major European leagues since the last World Cup, is better prepared for pressure.

2. Transformational Potential of 2026 for Canada (and MLS)

[07:16–12:42]

• The significance of World Cup ‘94 for US soccer formed a template Marsch sees for Canada:

  “None of this exists without the ‘94 World Cup. ...Canada and the US are on different paths... but our job as a nation is now to streamline and unify those [developmental] pathways.” (Jesse Marsch, 08:32)

• Alphonso Davies is described as an “anomaly”. Marsch says Canada’s challenge is building structures to consistently produce elite talent.
• The youth national team structure is described as “worse than most African nations”, owing to lack of investment and coaching opportunity.

3. Marsch’s Commitment and Contract Beyond 2026

[12:46–14:26]

• Marsch had early discussions about extending his contract but chose caution, valuing the momentum:

  “I wanted to make sure that the program... continues to move forward... I do want to be here longer because I enjoy the job... and the task... is longer than just two years.” (Jesse Marsch, 13:03/14:26)

4. Personal Motivation and Approach to High-Profile Management

[14:26–17:34]

• Marsch says outside recognition or “proving a point” isn’t his motivation. He insists he coaches for meaning, not profile:

  “I could walk away from football right now and not think twice... I don’t give a *** about any of that [fame, money]...” (Jesse Marsch, 15:15)

• He shares candid frustrations around the hyper-pressure and short-termism in club football—at Leeds particularly.

• Notable moment:

  “Who better to help change that [Canadian apologetic persona] than an arrogant American, right? ...I’m trying to... let them know that they’re good, that it’s okay to say you’re good, that you deserve big moments.” (Jesse Marsch, 17:05)

5. On Managerial Pressures and Media Culture

[17:34–22:41]

• Marsch and the interviewers dissect the “managerial carousel” and why fans and clubs often prioritize “transfer window and sacking of coaches” over deeper identity and vision.
• Marsch critiques the short-term, reactive culture—especially post-iPhone/social media era:

  “I don’t have a problem if the media is critical when we don’t perform... but how’s a manager ever going to build anything if he has a six month, eight month lifespan?” (Jesse Marsch, 20:26)

6. Changes from Club to International Management

[26:40–29:11]

• Marsch rejects the notion international managers can’t implement a style or develop players:

  “You can’t have a style of play and you can’t develop players. And we’ve done the exact opposite.” (Jesse Marsch, 26:45)

• He explains his hands-on, communicative involvement with players—even acting as mentor/father figure.

7. Cultivating Maturity and Learning from Naivete in Canadian Football

[29:11–30:52]

• Marsch discusses helping players develop maturity (managing pressure, media, money, etc.), contrasting with NBA/US sports where support systems are more advanced.
• He is one of the rare managers to inform players of lineup decisions the day before, respecting their professionalism.

  “If you’re honest with them, they’re not children. They’re mature enough to understand.” (Jesse Marsch, 30:16)

8. VAR, Officiating, and the Modern Game

[31:00–32:42]

• Marsch is in favor of VAR for directly game-defining moments but warns against over-application:

  “Directly impactful, penalties, red cards, goals... fully supportive. Corners? That’s probably too much.” (Jesse Marsch, 31:03)

• On referee quality:

  “Sometimes you learn that bad decision makers are categorically bad decision makers... and usually, they’re refs.” (Jesse Marsch, 32:15)

9. Socioeconomic Barriers and the “People’s Game”

[32:42–34:35]

• Marsch laments World Cup ticket costs and gentrification, worried that ordinary fans are being priced out:

  “It borders on the edge of ethically not fitting into what the game is... The entire earth is becoming first and third class. The middle class is disappearing.” (Jesse Marsch, 33:12)

10. Performance, Style, and Competitive Identity of Team Canada

[34:35–37:38]

• Marsch’s high-intensity, “front foot” style is about controlling the game and “bringing the crowd in” but also silencing hostile ones.
• He analyzes Canada’s struggles (e.g., against low blocks) versus strengths (top teams, transitions, defensive solidity, set pieces).

11. Importance of Set Pieces and Transitions

[37:38–39:25]

• Marsch is methodical about set pieces—employing specialists and data; notes that transitions are decisive in World Cups:

  “Most of the goals in the last two World Cups have come from transition. ...this is what we’re built on.” (Jesse Marsch, 38:22)

12. Learning from 2022 and Building the Right Mentality

[42:34–45:35]

• Marsch learned from Canada’s 2022 “fanfare” experience—insisting he wants the 2026 camp to be calm, focused, and routine:

  “I want them to enjoy being part of the national team... but when it’s time to work... intensity and the relentlessness at which we do things has to be here.” (Jesse Marsch, 44:46)

• He discusses embedding values: humility, togetherness, competitive edge, and intelligence.

13. Intentional Team Culture and External Inspiration

[45:45–46:53]

• Marsch is intentional and hands-on about building team identity—learning from and with the players—and draws on global sporting examples.

14. Preparing for Host Conditions: Heat and Home Advantage

[46:53–48:34]

• Marsch candidly notes Canada is “not great in the heat” and carefully plans training to acclimatize:

  “I’ll be honest, we are not great in the heat... But our training camp, we’re specifically doing in North Carolina... because we need to get them as acclimated to that as possible.” (Jesse Marsch, 47:49)

15. Erling Haaland, World Cup Stars, and Player Mentality

[48:34–51:00]

• Marsch, having coached Haaland, describes him as “probably the best in the world” and stresses that team concept—self-belief and togetherness—is Canada’s X factor.

  “To me, Erling still, to me is probably the best in the world... Again, I would not bet against Erling Haaland.” (Jesse Marsch, 49:12/50:25)

• On England, Marsch lauds Gareth Southgate’s humility and admits England should expect to win.

  “England should as a team should have the hopes of winning the World Cup.” (Jesse Marsch, 51:03)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On legacy and success:
  “I hate the word legacy... I don’t use it for myself because I think it reflects too much on me and not enough on the overall picture of what’s being created.”
  (Jesse Marsch, 03:30)

• On the opportunity of a home World Cup:
  “Our job as a nation is to now streamline and unify those pathways... I say our youth national team setup is worse than most African nations, right?”
  (Jesse Marsch, 08:32/09:47)

• On his coaching motivation:
  “Frankly, I could walk away from football right now and not think twice about ever going back... I don’t give a **** about any of that. Like, I’ve already achieved way more than I ever thought I would.”
  (Jesse Marsch, 15:15)

• On change in Canadian mentality:
  “And who better to help change that than an arrogant American, right?... that it’s okay to say you’re good, that you deserve to win and you deserve big moments.”
  (Jesse Marsch, 17:05)

• On modern club football:
  “It’s the only job I’ve ever had where I had to almost weekly, daily, speak with the team about social media, about fan behavior...”
  (Jesse Marsch, 18:14)

• On being honest with players:
  “If you’re honest with them, they’re not children. They’re mature enough to be able to understand... I think in life a different way.”
  (Jesse Marsch, 30:16)

• On World Cup accessibility:
  “It borders on the edge of ethically not fitting into what the game is... The entire earth is becoming first and third class. The middle class is disappearing.”
  (Jesse Marsch, 33:12)

• On Haaland:
  “To me, Erling still, to me is probably the best in the world... And I would again, I would not bet against Erling Holland.”
  (Jesse Marsch, 49:12/50:25)

Timestamps for Main Segments

• [03:29] – Marsch’s definition of success and thoughts on legacy
• [07:16] – Impact of World Cup on Canadian football development
• [12:46] – Marsch’s contract and future with Canada
• [14:26] – Personal approach and coaching philosophy
• [17:34] – Premier League pressures and football culture
• [26:40] – Transition from club to international coaching
• [31:00] – VAR and technology in officiating
• [32:42] – Socioeconomics and World Cup accessibility
• [34:35] – Canada’s style of play and performance analysis
• [37:38] – Set pieces, transitions, and data-driven insights
• [42:34] – Lessons from 2022 World Cup and building mentality
• [46:53] – Home advantage and preparation for weather
• [48:34] – Haaland, World Cup stars, and the mentality of belonging
• [51:03] – England and Southgate’s influence

Memorable Moments

• Marsch’s passion for systemic change and humility about his role
• His blunt, often humorous take on football culture—“Who better to help change [the Canadian apologetic persona] than an arrogant American?”
• Candid reflections about the pitfalls of modern football: “I don’t give a **** about any of that... I just want to do things ...meaningful to me.”
• Technical insights: transition play, the evolution of World Cup goals, and set-piece focus
• Strong critiques of socioeconomic divides affecting accessibility at the World Cup

Tone and Language

True to Marsch’s personality: Direct, engaging, candid, and passionate. The conversation stays informal, insightful, and energetic, peppered with stories and humor, but driven by a strong vision for collective impact and footballing culture.

For listeners seeking football’s human, tactical, and cultural dimensions—this episode delivers an honest window into building a team, a legacy, and a movement, in the unique context of the North American World Cup.