"I don't give a" - Jesse Marsch speech and claim as ex-Leeds United boss makes Canada international history

Former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has defended his speech to his players after making international history with Canada at the FIFA World Cup.

Marsch was appointed head coach of Canada back in May 2024 and his team are now competing at a World Cup for only the third time in the country’s history.

Canada first qualified for a World Cup back in 1986 when they lost all three group games and the team again exited the competition without a single point four years ago in 2022 as they again finished bottom of their group.

Consequently, it meant co-hosts Canada had already made history by qualifying for the 2026 knockout stages after finishing second in their group behind Switzerland whose squad features Leeds winger Noah Okafor.

Looking to win a World Cup knockout game for the first time in their history, Canada took on South Africa on Sunday evening in the competition’s first last 32 game which looked destined for extra-time with the score goalless entering six minutes of second half stoppage time.

Canada had earlier seen a shot cleared off the line in a goalmouth scramble from a corner and Marsch’s men also saw strong claims for a penalty ignored which left March clearly frustrated at half-time.

His side, though, served up one final twist in the 92nd minute as South Africa could only clear the ball to Stephen Eustaquio who arrowed home a terrific finish from the edge of the box to put Canada in the competition’s last 16 for the first time in their history.

Marsch’s men will now face either the Netherlands or Morocco for a place in the quarter-finals.

Marsch’s jubilation was plain to see at the full-time whistle and the ex-Leeds boss then got himself in the middle of a squad huddle to give a passionate speech to his men.

“Frankly, I don’t care”

“You guys are Canadian heroes!” said Marsch to his men.

“Canadian heroes for the future children of this country who play this sport. This sport has a big future because of you guys. You should be so proud of who you are. You should be so proud of this game."

Marsch was then asked about his speech by reporters afterwards and claimed he did not care what was made of it.

“People like to say it's performative to meet on the pitch after the game, and I don't give a s---. And frankly, I don't care," Marsch told reporters after the game, as quoted by ESPN.

"In these moments after games, people get pulled in a lot of directions, so you have to take the moment right there.

"I wanted to voice to them how important a moment like this will be for the sport and the national team. It's a shame we couldn't do it in Vancouver, but it's a pleasure to be their coach, and it's something that motivates me every day."