Jesse Marsch has shared that ‘I know’ the loyalty Leeds United fans have towards Marcelo Bielsa and how he has ‘watched him for years’, as he told Sky Sports.
The American was appointed as Leeds’ new Head Coach on Monday evening and he shared that he has ‘massive’ respect for Bielsa and they have ‘similar’ thinking, in terms of their style of play.
Following Leeds’ heavy defeat to Tottenham over the weekend, the club made the difficult call to part ways with Bielsa.
After guiding the Yorkshire outfit to promotion for the first time in nearly 20 years, he was, without any surprise, a very popular figure at the club.
And when Marsch was introduced to the Leeds fans, this is what he said about Bielsa, his style of play and the Elland Road faithful.
“Firstly, my respect for Marcelo Bielsa is massive,” said Marsch. “I have watched him for years. He has such a unique playing style.
“A lot of the things I believe in football and my principles are similar things to what he likes and what he does.
“I followed popular managers almost everywhere I have gone and I know there are challenges to that. For me, it’s focusing on who I am, what I believe the job takes and focusing on what I think is necessary for the team, to grow and be successful.
“I know that the fanbase has a lot of loyalty to Marcelo, as they should be. He is a hero here. He has brought the club up to such a high level and the ability to play again in the Premier League.”
Only 12 games remaining for Marsch to turn this leaky Leeds and morale-sapped side around.
Marsch’s style of play is not too dissimilar to Bielsa’s, he likes to be on the front foot and aggressive towards his opponents.
But Leeds’ problem isn’t their attack, but how many goals they have been shipping of late.
Either way, Marsch has no time to settle in because he needs a new manager’s bounce pretty much straight away.
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