Tommy Wheeldon Jr. was humbled to be considered for the coaching job in Canada

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Canada has a new coach for men's soccer.

It's not Tommy Wheeldon Jr. who stays at Cavalry FC.

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That's good news for Calgary's pro soccer team for its future, though the Cavalier gaffer would look good on the sidelines for the country's senior team.

“My ownership group let Canadian Soccer talk to me,” Wheeldon said ahead of the Cavaliers' (1W-3D-1L) Saturday's Canadian Premier League match against York United FC (2-0-3) at ATCO. Field (5 p.m., OneSoccer, OneSoccer.ca).

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“I'm very humbled to be considered a part of this as a Canadian coach,” the Cavs gaffer continued. “It's the only job I'd ever consider leaving a place as wonderful as Cavalry.”

It won't be long after Soccer Canada decided Monday to hire American Jesse Marsh as national leader to replace John Herdman.

The 50-year-old's resume includes coaching at England's Leeds United, Germany's RB Leipzig, Austria's Red Bull Salzburg and Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact. His last job was with Leeds in the EFL Championship Division, who sacked him in February 2023 after just one year in charge.

“Jesse Marsh is a guy who has had a great career as a player and as a coach,” Wheeldon said. “If there's anyone who can replace John Herdman, it's him.

“He's emotionally intelligent. He has a clear philosophy about how he wants to play. He's also had a bit of time since leaving Leeds to immerse himself in football and refine his ideals, and I think that always helps when starting a new job.

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“I think he's passionate. He plays hard games here. I hope the country will get behind him and the team and I wish him all the best.”

Soccer Canada CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue drew skepticism from many last month when he presented philanthropy as a way to help the governing body's battered bottom line.

But he went that route in hiring Marsh because the move was aided by “large philanthropic contributions” from the owners of Canada's three MLS clubs – the Vancouver Whitecaps, Montreal and Toronto FC – and other private donors. , reports Canada Soccer.

“Jesse is a transformational leader who will drive the progress of our men's national team and Canadian soccer more broadly as we enter the most important period in our national sport's history,” Blue said.

Of course, Canada, ranked 49th in the world in men's soccer, will host the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico.

“I wish Jesse all the best – I think he's a great appointment,” Wheeldon said. “I think the country is in a good place with a domestic league (in the CPL) and MLS to support it.”

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Wheeldon joins former assistant Mauro Biello – interim coach after Herdman's departure and prior to Marsh's appointment – among several candidates shortlisted for the coveted position.

Wheeldon's CPL pundit Bobby Smirniotis of Forge FC and former France superstar and former Montreal Impact coach Thierry Henry are also believed to be on the shortlist.

“In their words, our ownership said, 'If we don't agree to have our head coach considered as a future manager of the national team, we wouldn't be supporting the Canadian game,'” Wheeldon added. “I was very grateful for that.

“I'm very humbled to think about it, but now I'm lucky to have a great job to look forward to.”

FREE FINDINGS

The Cavaliers enter Saturday's home opener – finally – with a week off between games. He last played in a 1-1 draw with HFX Wanderers FC in Halifax on Saturday… Meanwhile, York United got one more day off than the Cavs last Friday when they played against the Valor in North York, Ont. The home side won the contest 3-1, moving York United ahead of the Cavaliers into fifth place in the CPL standings … Cavalry striker Ali Mousse (ankle) remains out and will undergo further tests, according to Wheeldon. Cavs midfielder Mael Henry (hamstring), guard Tom Field (foot) and forward Toby Warszewski (foot) returned to full fitness in Calgary on Saturday.

— With Canadian Press files

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