Jonathan Woodgate has told BBC Radio 5 Live that Jesse Marsch is a “lucky man” to be replacing Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United. It comes after Leeds decided to end his four-year stay at the club on Sunday morning.
Bielsa, 66, departs with the club in a perilous position – hanging just above the relegation drop zone. Leeds have conceded 14 goals in their last three games, and Saturday’s 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham proved too much.
The Argentine departs and it is being widely reported that his replacement will be Marsch. The 48-year-old American has been without a club since leaving Leipzig – but remains highly sought-after shining at Salzburg.
While Woodgate does not name Marsch specifically, it is being reported that Marsch has agreed terms with Leeds and an announcement is imminent. Woodgate explained why Marsch, or whoever takes over, is lucky.
“If [Bielsa] he’d have still stayed, I still believe they wouldn’t have gone down but whoever gets the job is going to be one lucky man because they’re an incredible football club,” Woodgate said, on BBC R5L, as per Leeds Live.
Woodgate on Bielsa, Marsch: What can Leeds expect from American?
On paper, Marsch offers many similar qualities to that of Bielsa. An emphasis on attacking football, taking the game to an opponent, high press, faith in youth and more. But Marsch is tactically excellent.
Bielsa, of course, is too. But the Argentine knew only one way to play and would not change from that. Marsch has the ability to mix it up,be more pragmatic if needs be and then attack when the chance is there.
The next six games will make or break the club’s season. They face Leicester, Villa, Norwich, Wolves, Southampton and Watford. If the Whites can get themselves double digits, you would like to think they are safe.
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