Jesse Marsch, former RB Leipzig manager is likely to become Leeds United’s new head coach after Marcelo Bielsa was fired on Sunday noon.
After a five-month stint with the German club, the American, who has also coached the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, left in December last year.
Once a work visa is finalized, the 48-year-old will succeed Marcelo Bielsa, who was fired on Sunday.
Following a sequence of heavy defeats, Leeds are 16th in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone.
After leaving the New York Red Bulls in 2018, Jesse Marsch worked as Ralf Rangnick’s assistant at RB Leipzig before being promoted to RB Salzburg in June 2019.
He had a good debut season in Salzburg, winning the league and cup double.
Before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2019, he was also involved in the development of striker Erling Braut Haaland.
In April of last year, he returned to Leipzig as head coach, succeeding Julian Nagelsmann, who had gone to lead Bayern Munich.
Jesse Marsch, who has previously been connected with Celtic’s management post, passed his Uefa Pro Licence in Scotland.
Leeds United Club has issued a statement regarding Marcelo Bielsa
“Leeds United can today reveal the club has parted company with head coach Marcelo Bielsa,” the club said on their official website.
The 66-year-old had been in command of the team for more than three-and-a-half years after taking over in June 2018.
He began a two-month transformation of the club’s fortunes on the pitch with a 3-1 demolition of Stoke City at Elland Road, and in his first full season in command, he led Leeds to the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs.
Bielsa succeeded where others had failed in his second season, leading the team to the Sky Bet Championship crown, winning the division by 10 points, and earning promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.
Leeds finished tenth in their first season back in the Premier League, earning the most points by a newly promoted team since the 2000/01 season.
This season, however, has been challenging for the team, with only five Premier League victories.
“This has been the toughest choice I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all of Marcelo’s accomplishments at the club,” stated chairman Andrea Radrizzani.
“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all. The moments created, particularly in the 2019/20 season and winning promotion to the Premier League, will of course live long in all our memories, myself and the fans included.
“However, I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and performances have not met our expectations.
“We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season.
“Naturally, myself, along with everyone else at the club would like to thank Marcelo for his efforts and achievements and we wish him the very best for the future.”
Director of football Victor Orta added: “Since arriving at Leeds United Marcelo had a huge impact on the club, on a scale I have not seen before.
“He has created a legacy, overseeing major infrastructure improvements at Thorp Arch, uniting the supporters and the players, and giving a clear pathway for young players to transition into the first team.
“It is disappointing his reign has had to end in this manner, given the special times we have enjoyed in recent years, which have been some of the best in my career, but we cannot hide from recent results.
“I would like to thank Marcelo for his commitment and dedication, and I wish him every success going forwards.”
Plans for a permanent tribute to Marcelo at Elland Road are under way and more information will be released in due course.
Leeds United will aim to make an announcement on a new appointment tomorrow.”
Leeds’ dreadful run under Bielsa
- January 22 – Leeds 0-1 Newcastle
- February 9 – Aston Villa 3-3 Leeds
- February 12 – Everton 3-0 Leeds
- February 20 – Leeds 2-4 Man Utd
- February 23 – Liverpool 6-0 Leeds
- February 26 – Leeds 0-4 Tottenham
Leeds claim they are in the process of planning a lasting homage to Bielsa at Elland Road and want to announce the Argentine’s successor as soon as Monday.
