Leeds finally confirm appointment of manager Jesse Marsch – so in this article, we also list 7 things you should know about the new man.
The American, who has also coached New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, departed the German club in December last year after a five-month spell.
The 48-year-old will replace Marcelo Bielsa, who was sacked on Sunday, once a work permit is finalised.
Leeds currently position in 16th place in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone, following a run of big defeats.
After leaving MLS side New York Red Bulls in 2018, Marsch first joined RB Leipzig as Ralf Rangnick’s assistant before being appointed at RB Salzburg in June 2019.
He endured a successful spell in Salzburg winning a league and cup double in his first season.
He was also part of the development of striker Erling Braut Haaland before the Norway striker joined Borussia Dortmund in 2019.
Marsch then returned to Leipzig in April 2021, this time as head coach when he took over from Julian Nagelsmann who left to manage Bayern Munich.
#LUFC can today announce the appointment of Jesse Marsch as our new head coach, pending international clearance
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 28, 2022
A message from our Chairman pic.twitter.com/dR8i5i6LfB
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 28, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Leeds United can today announce the appointment of Jesse Marsch as the club’s new head coach, pending international clearance.
The 48-year-old has signed a deal at Elland Road running until June 2025 and his first game in charge will be Saturday’s Premier League trip at Leicester City.
Marsch, a former USA international midfielder, previously played for D.C. United, Chicago Fire and Chivas USA in the MLS.
Following his retirement from playing, he became an assistant with the USA national team, before being named as the first head coach of Montreal Impact in 2012.
Three years later, he was named New York Red Bulls boss and led them to the MLS Supporters’ Shield and was also named the 2015 MLS Coach of the Year.
In 2018, he left New York Red Bulls as the coach with the most wins in the club’s history, joining German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig as assistant to Ralf Rangnick.
Ahead of the 2019/20 season he was named head coach of sister club Red Bull Salzburg and went on to have great success, winning both the Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup in consecutive seasons.
This led to him returning to RB Leipzig as head coach last summer, which was his most recent position, prior to parting ways in December.
He will now be looking to guide Leeds United away from the Premier League relegation places over the final 12 games of the campaign.
Speaking about the appointment, Leeds United 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.”
Chief Executive Angus Kinnear added: “We are really pleased to have quickly secured the services of our first-choice head coach.
“Whilst the short-term objective for Jesse is obvious, we believe he has the courage and ambition to build on the strong foundations we have created over the last four years and elevate the performance of the club over the long-term. He had a great deal of success with New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg and has demonstrated during our many meetings that he is a great fit with the footballing culture of Leeds United.
“At this challenging time, it is important that the club remains united from top to bottom. The fans have been amazing throughout Andrea’s tenure and we have no doubt they will unite behind Jesse and ensure the team quickly returns to winning with style.”
7 things you should know
– Three-time MLS Cup winner
– Helped USA shine at the 2010 World Cup
– MLS record holder
– Worked under Ralf Rangnick
– Dominated Austria
– Gave Man City and Liverpool a run for their money
– Third American Premier League manager
Jesse Marsch spoke exclusively to LUTV after being announced as new head coach of Leeds United.
The 48-year-old has signed a deal at Elland Road running until the summer of 2025.
Marsch spoke of his goals for the club, what he expects from the team and admitted he can’t wait to get going.
“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,” said Marsch.
“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.
“This mentality and mindset to play for the fans, fight for the fans and to fight for each other is what I love, as a manager that is what I identify, a team that has heart, passion and plays for each other with everything they have.
“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.
“The focus on every day and every moment and removing stress will be really important for us to have success over the coming months.”
Marsch succeeds Marcelo Bielsa who enjoyed great success at Elland Road and he paid tribute to his predecessor.
Marsch said: “My respect and admiration for Marcelo Bielsa is massive.
“When I was assistant coach with the US national team in my first full-time coaching job, our first game was against Chile and Marcelo Bielsa.
“I followed his career and watched what he has done from afar and certainly he is a hero here.
“How he has helped transform Leeds United into a Premier League team is pretty amazing.
“For me, I just want help to take the torch to the next phase, everything that has been done has laid and incredible foundation and coming in at this moment, I want to do everything I can to take the club into the next stage of our history.”
Twitter users reacted as Leeds finally confirm appointment of their new manager…
@SuppressedSikh: Fight and win
@RaLUFC: Although I am still very sad and think Marcelo should have been given the chance to finish the season with us, I am totally and unconditionally supporting our new manager and the boys. Good luck @jessemarsch – please keep us in this league 💛
@Nathan1919Wilki: MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA MARCELO BIELSA
@MattTams: If only we could have had some sort of passing of the torch from Bielsa to Marsch. Because on the face of it JM seems like a good person and an exciting coach that I think we can all get behind. Instead the board’s given him a bit of a hospital pass. Get that first win Jesse ✊
@GiallorossiYank: Jesse is a great man, give him a chance Leeds fans. I was a Bielsa fan as well, but Jesse will care for your city just as much.
@MWardy21: Didn’t want him, and still don’t…. will back him because he’s the coach of Leeds United… but 100% convinced Bielsa would have kept this team in the Premier League, so if Marsch does it certainly won’t be justification for sacking Marcelo.
@JetcJair: Marsch welcome, just a note
Rule #1: If you hear us chanting “Marcelo Bielsa” for 90 minutes, don’t worry, it’s not personal.
Rule #1: Joffy always at all times without exception, you will learn
Rule #2: Don’t you dare sit on his bucket
@leedsinfideI: Lets freaking go Jesse. We believe in you. Keep us in the best soccer competition in the world dude
@Johnleeds77: A new era welcome to our fantastic club let’s get behind him and the lads 12 cup finals to go. We can stay up 💛💙
@BLayerofficial: Let’s back him now
@RobbieT7: All been handled horrendously, and will never forgive the chairman for the way this has been handled! But will support the manager and the team as long as they’re putting 100% in! ALAW
@Danny39098934: I’m gutted to lose Bielsa but we must get behind Jesse!
@lufcjo: i’ll support u no matter what, welcome to the club jesse. just do not to call it soccer.
@bexxxxxg99: Welcome Jesse! I hope you do us proud. Bielsa is a big part of us please don’t take our sadness and anger towards how this has been handled personal!
@MissVJFxx: Welcome to Yorkshire, Jesse! You’ve got a lot of work to do but you have my support. #SideBeforeSelf #ALAW
@MaynardM: Welcome to Leeds, Jesse Marsch. The only boots you need to fill are your own. Please excuse our collective state of mourning over losing Mr. Bielsa as our manager. We are owed that. I wish you the utmost success such that you can be our manager for another 20 years! #LUFC #MOT
— Rory Sta🅿️leton🇮🇪 (@Rorytopia12) February 28, 2022
Welcome @jessemarsch 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/qYN8fGMspO
— Jack MV1 (@lufcjack33) February 28, 2022
— GL (@GJLindley) February 28, 2022
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