Craig Burley has spoken about Jesse Marsch possibly becoming the coach of the USA men’s national team after he was sacked by Leeds United on Monday.
The former Scotland international told US-based network ESPN that Marsch ‘isn’t in the best position’ to get the USMNT role because of what has happened in recent years – sacking from RB Leipzig and now Leeds.
But he made it clear that the federation running the USMNT ‘does what it wants’, so from that aspect, it wouldn’t be a surprise as to what happens.
Gregg Berhalter was the man in the US hot seat for the 2022 World Cup, but with his contract expiring and on the backdrop of the bombshell revelations from Gio Reyna’s parents, that post is now up for grabs, with Antonhy Hudson now in temporary charge.
Whilst Marsch was in charge of Leeds for less than a year, and he did keep them up after they were seemingly destined to go down under Marcelo Bielsa last season, these past few gigs haven’t done him the world of good.
But with the USA set to host the next edition of the World Cup, then the next man to take the USMNT job has to be the correct call because of the serious pressure that’s going to come with it all, with Burley sharing his thoughts.
“I think it is a head-scratcher, in a way,” said Burley. “Why would a guy, who did a good job at Salzburg. At RB Leipzig, it was poor. Since he left and Marco Rose come in, they have picked up.
“He came into Leeds. I think they shipped 20 goals in the last five games under Bielsa. But he kept them up. And that’s it, so he has come off two sackings, in the space of a couple of years.
“Is that a remit? Is that where the US is? Just to take a manager who has been biffed a couple of times and say ‘you are the man for the job’. I think there are others, on this side of the pond (in the USA), that are probably in a better position.
“Jesse Marsch is in a bit of a conundrum, in terms of a rebuild. He might get that job. I don’t know. This is a federation that goes off on a tangent and just does what it wants. Certainly, he’s not in the best position coming off being sacked twice in two years.”
MARSCH’S REPUTATION TAKES A HIT
At Salzburg, Marsch was building up quite the reputation, especially with a young fresh-faced Erling Haaland at his disposal, who has now become one of the most fearsome forwards in world football.
But he has taken a few hits of late and it would be a surprise if he is handed the USMNT role.
Yes, he would still be near the front of the queue because he is American and still one of the best in his own nation.
But, at the end of the day, with the USA hosting the 2026 World Cup, they perhaps need a proven winner in the dugout that can help get more than just a last-16 finish on football’s biggest stage.
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