Leeds United’s return to the Premier League holds an intrinsic link to the emergence of Marcelo Bielsa into the mainstream. He was of course already heralded as a great coach, but he is now known by the masses. That being said, he certainly isn’t indispensable to the club and as reported by Sam Wallace, of The Telegraph, Jesse Marsch is the leading candidate to be their next port of call.
Jesse Marsch in Line to Take Throne at Leeds United Should a Change of Direction Be Made
Bielsa’s Future
After a rip-roaring first season back in the Premier League, Leeds have been brought crashing back down to earth. Granted, injuries have plagued the team, yet that excuse can’t be used forever. The question arises – does the blame fall at the feet of Bielsa, the players, or elsewhere?
With Marsch proverbially knocking on the door, Leeds currently occupy 15th place in the table with six points separating them from the drop zone. Should they not fall into a relegation fight, it will be down to the dross below them as opposed to their own talent and prowess. Norwich City, Watford and Burnley currently sit in the drop zone and whilst Norwich have shown resurgence under Dean Smith, the chances of any of them superseding Bielsa’s side are unlikely.
Bielsa currently holds a one-year contract with Leeds that expires in the summer. Marsch is unemployed and would be able to take the reins immediately should Leeds, Bielsa, or both come to the decision that they should part ways.
Marsch’s Possible Return Following RB Leipzig Exit
Zeroing in on the man in question who would replace Bielsa, Jesse Marsch. After breaking through in Major League Soccer, Marsch continued up through the Red Bull structure from New York to Salzburg. He brought a Supporters’ Shield to the big apple before winning back-to-back league and cup doubles in Austria.
Marsch, the MLS Coach of the Year in 2015, was most recently employed in the German Bundesliga. When he arrived at RB Leipzig, his side had lost Marcel Sabitzer and Dayot Upamecano to the dominant Bayern Munich as well as Liverpool swooping in for the latter’s centre-back partner Ibrahim Konate. He was up against it from the off and Marsch was unable to produce the necessary results, his tenure coming to an end in early December after three consecutive league defeats.
Domenico Tedesco may have turned the fortunes around for Leipzig but that shouldn’t take away from what Marsch offers to the managerial game. The Red Bull system and Leeds haven’t seen eye-to-eye in the past, something which may have played a part in Leeds’ pursuit of Brenden Aaronson, but an out-of-work Marsch may well still replace Bielsa at Elland Road.
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