MARSCH-ING ON TOGETHER
Leeds confirm Jesse Marsch as new boss to replace Marcelo Bielsa as ex-RB Leipzig chief comes in to save them from drop
LEEDS have confirmed Jesse Marsch as their new boss to replace Marcelo Bielsa.
The 48-year-old American takes over with the Yorkshire side in freefall down the Premier League table.
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The Whites are just two points above the relegation zone, with Burnley also having two games in hand.
After their 4-0 home hammering by Tottenham on Saturday Bielsa was sacked the following day.
Marsch now comes in after talks with Elland Road chiefs over how he will keep them in the top-flight.
The former United States international assistant manager had his work permit accepted on Monday.
He told the club website: “It’s something I’m really excited about, I know what a big club Leeds is, I know ex-players who have played here and I’ve watched this club from afar for many years and I’m really honoured and excited to be here.
“One of the things I love about this team right now is their commitment no matter how difficult the games have been, to play until the end, fight for each other, to never stop and to give everything to each other at every moment.
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“My style of play, my aggressiveness and the desire I have for teams to be intensive and to run and make things difficult for the opponent fits with what has been done here for three-and-a-half years.
“I have to identify how to do the important things and simple things right away, before building the complexity moving forwards.
“We have all the tools here, I’m here to help this group understand how we can get better and handling the moment right now, we have to stay calm and control what we can control, we are still in a good situation where we control all of our destiny."
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani said he fast-tracked Marcelo Bielsa’s exit because “something was broken”.
Radrizzani revealed they were planning for Bielsa to leave in the summer, but that he had to sack the Argentine because of their dire form.
The idolised manager lost five of his last six games.
'WE NEEDEED TO CHANGE'
And Radrizzani said: “Unfortunately, the form of the team made me believe that we needed to have a change.
“We were planning a successor for the summer and we had to anticipate this decision now because I could see something was broken in the club.
“I have the interest of the club and maintaining the Premier League (status) as my first goal and interest, so I took this difficult decision.”
Leeds director of football Victor Orta said: “We are delighted to welcome Jesse to the club and excited for him to lead us into this new chapter.
“Jesse is someone we identified a number of years ago during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and we believe his philosophy and style of football aligns with that of the club and will suit the players very well.
“We have a long-term plan and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and are excited for what the future holds.”
On Sunday, Leeds fans reacted with shock at the news Bielsa had been axed after a poor run of form.
He is a club legend after finally getting them out of the Championship and back in the Premier League.
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The Argentine was snapped emotionally saying goodbye to supporters outside Elland Road.
It is not know whether he will stay in the UK or go abroad and take up another job elsewhere this season.
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Meanwhile, Marsch is understood to be a disciple of current Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick after his time at Leipzig.
He is set to change up their formation from Bielsa's tactics, going for a 4-2-2-2 instead.
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