Canada's coach faces backlash amid Alphonso Davies injury controversy

What could the answer be?

On the 27th (Korean time), Germany's Bild reported, "After the shocking injury and criticism, Canada is now fighting against the Alphonso Davies incident. Bayern Munich will have to cope without Davies for a long time. This injury is causing many problems!"

Davies was injured in the knee during the 3rd-4th place playoff of the 2024 North American Caribbean Federation (CONCACAF) Nations League against the United States on the 24th. He started the match but fell due to injury just 12 minutes into the game.

After the game, Davies was also seen walking alone, but the detailed examination revealed a torn ligament. The rehabilitation period is expected to take a staggering 6 months. This is practically a confirmation of the end of his season.

Bayern announced through their club website, "Davies has torn his ligament. Bayern will have to cope without him for a long time after the international match break," adding that "Davies was diagnosed with a tear in his right knee ligament after returning from the Canadian national team. He is scheduled for surgery today and will not be seen for the next few months."

This is a major setback for Bayern. The starting left-back, Davies, had recently re-signed with Bayern, but soon after, he collapsed. Bayern successfully retained him by offering a re-sign bonus of 22 million euros (approximately 34.8 billion won) and an annual salary of 15 million euros (approximately 23.4 billion won), which was set to expire this summer.

Max Eberl, Bayern's director, sighed, saying, "Unfortunately, there is always a risk of players returning injured during the international match break. This time, it’s a major blow. The absence of Davies and Dayot Upamecano is a significant burden for Bayern."

He added, "Davies will receive all the support necessary for his return. We will also closely monitor Upamecano over the next few weeks, and we expect him to return soon. However, our squad is strong enough to overcome this. Now we will collaborate even more. We have the capacity to continue pursuing our ambitious goals."

Meanwhile, a shocking revelation emerged. It was claimed that Davies' torn ligament was due to the Canadian national team and head coach Jesse Marsch. Marsch was once linked with the South Korean national team last year. He was mentioned as the top candidate to succeed Jurgen Klinsmann at one point.

However, due to various issues, he declined the South Korean national team and took the position in Canada. Although Marsch showed commendable performance in Canada, he is facing significant criticism related to the injury of the national team ace, Davies. In fact, Davies' agent, Nick Huse, publicly targeted Marsch.

Germany's Sport1 reported, "Davies' agent Huse directly raised serious allegations against the Canadian national team and Marsch. He criticized that they could have 100% prevented Davies' torn ligament after the injury. In short, he pointed out that the management of the coach was the issue."

Huse stated, "I think Coach Marsch should have handled the situation better. The injury could have been 100% avoided," adding, "Marsch has managed at the highest level before coming to Canada. He should know that a player who says he cannot play should not be put at risk."

It is reported that before the game, Davies told Coach Marsch that he was not feeling well. Nevertheless, due to Davies' stature being bigger than at Bayern in Canada, it is suggested that Marsch pressured the ace to play in the Nations League 3rd-4th place match.

After targeting Coach Marsch, Huse expressed, "I think Davies felt pressure from Coach Marsch as a captain. He is not someone who turns down such moments. In the end, Davies played and they witnessed what happened. The health of the players must come first. The national team must better protect the players."

Philip Kessler, a reporter for Germany's TZ, stated, "Davies should not have played against the U.S. I was surprised to see him on the starting lineup because he said he could not start. According to sources from the Canadian federation, Davies said he should only play for a few minutes at most. I told them he should not play at all," emphasizing Huse's comments.

As a result, criticism against the Canadian national team and Coach Marsch is growing. With Upamecano also needing surgery due to a knee issue, fan anger is reaching new heights. In response, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) immediately issued a clarification.

Through a spokesperson, the CSA firmly rebutted, "The coaching staff and experienced medical personnel of Canadian soccer are true professionals. They have always prioritized the safety and welfare of the players. Any claims to the contrary are not true."

Bild reported, "Due to Davies' long-term injury, much tension has escalated. Now the Canadian association is responding to the agent's serious allegations and defending themselves vigorously," noting that "The CSA's recent statement appears to be directed towards Davies' agent."

Following the shocking long-term injury, revelations and disputes over the truth continue to circulate. As Davies maintains silence, there is curiosity about his true intentions. If it is confirmed that Coach Marsch indeed pressured a player who could not play at all, the fallout is expected to be significant.

As a result, Bayern has suffered a significant blow. In addition to Davies' departure, his partner in defense, Kim Min-jae, also requires surgery due to a left knee joint issue. Initially, it was believed that a recovery period of about 4 to 6 weeks would be sufficient, but now it is uncertain when he will return.

Essentially, the starting backline has been devastated. Bayern is competing for the Bundesliga title and the UEFA Champions League (UCL), making the impact even greater. They have a UCL quarterfinal showdown against Inter Milan in just two weeks.

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