If Jesse Marsch had been sacked by Leeds United at the start of January rather than the start of February, would Weston McKennie have ever arrived at Elland Road?
It’s an interesting question. Director of football Victor Orta is, technically-speaking, the man responsible for recruitment in West Yorkshire. Many of Leeds’ signings during the short-lived Marsch era, however, had the American’s unmistakable fingertips all over them.
The former Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig coach worked with Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Tyler Adams at his former clubs, after all.
Weston McKennie, meanwhile, may not have been a signing demanded by Marsch. But he was was certainly one made with the Wisconsin-born tactician in mind.
An American midfielder for an American coach. A player more renowned for his tenacity than his technique, introduced seemingly to slot straight into Marsch’s hard-running midfield. Not a Red Bull graduate. But one very much aligned with those taurine-powered values.
If Marsch had had his way, Hwang Hee Chan would have arrived at Elland Road too.
Jesse Marsch wanted Wolves’ Hwang Hee-Chan at Leeds United
“I know Hee-chan very well. I like Hee-chan,” Marsch admitted back in August, via Leeds Live. “He knows our football. I can tell you he’s been on our list from the beginning.”
Hwang, like Aaronson and Kristensen, was part of Marsch’s exciting Red Bull Salzburg side, one third of a thrilling frontline also containing Takumi Minamino and a burgeoning Erling Haaland. In terms of his Premier League record, however, the South Korea international is more Minamino than Haaland.
After making his move to Wolves permanent for £14 million, Hwang has scored just one goal in 18 top-flight games under Bruno Lage and Julen Lopetegui.
Wolverhampton Wanderers rejected a £17 million offer from Leeds on deadline day last year, according to The Athletic. Wolves may now be wishing they’d given a different answer. Even before his recent hamstring trouble, Hwang’s performances were, well, underwhelming.
In fact, across his permanent and temporary spells at Molineux, Hwang’s tally of goals in his last 31 outings stands at a measly one.
Leeds reportedly considered renewing their interest in January, when the Marsch reign was about to be overthrown, and it would have come as no surprise if they tried again this summer.
With Marsch now a fading memory, and with Hwang’s lack of goals a bone of almost permanent contention at Molineux, do not expect Javi Gracia – or whoever is in the Leeds hotseat come June – picking up where Marsch left off.
Red Bull, it turns out, does not always give you wings.
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