Jesse Marsch succeeds Marcelo Bielsa as head coach of Leeds United

Jesse Marsch, the former head coach of RB Leipzig, has been announced as the new manager of Leeds United.

The Elland Road club has extended the 48-year-contract old’s until June 2025 after Marcelo Bielsa was dismissed.

Jesse Marsch, who has also coached the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, left the German club after a five-month stint in December last year.

Once a work permit is approved, the American will take over for Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, who was fired on Sunday.

After a sequence of heavy defeats, Leeds are 16th in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Marsch remarked. “I’m honoured and pleased to be here because I know what a huge club Leeds is, I know ex-players who have played here, and I’ve watched this club from afar for many years.”

“It’s fairly astonishing how [Bielsa] has helped develop Leeds United into a Premier League team,” he continued.

“All I want to do is help carry the light forward to the next stage.” Everything that has been done so far has built a fantastic foundation, and now that I am here, I want to do everything I can to help the club move forward in its history.”

“We are happy to welcome Jesse to the club and excited for him to lead us into this new chapter,” stated Victor Orta, Leeds United’s director of football.

“We recognized Jesse a number of years ago during his time at Red Bull Salzburg, and we believe his philosophy and style of football are in line with the club’s and will be a good fit for the players.”

“We have a long-term strategy and are confident in his ability to take Leeds United to the next level. We are looking forward to what the future holds.”

After leaving the New York Red Bulls in 2018, 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.

Marsch, who had previously been linked with Celtic’s management job, passed his Uefa Pro Licence in Scotland.

Cameron Toshack, the son of former Wales and Real Madrid manager John Toshack, is set to be named as Marsch’s assistant.

“We are incredibly pleased to have rapidly acquired the services of our first-choice head coach,” Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear said.

“While Jesse’s short-term goal is clear, we feel he has the confidence and drive to build on the good foundations we’ve laid over the last four years and improve the club’s long-term success.”

“He had a lot of success with the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, and he’s shown over our many discussions that he’s a wonderful fit with Leeds United’s footballing ethos.”