Jesse Marsch is Revitalizing Leeds United
Leeds United manager, Jesse Marsch, led his side to an enthralling 3-0 victory over Chelsea this past weekend, marking arguably the most significant win of his coaching career thus far and indicating that an American revolution is underway in Leeds.
Following the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa in February, Marsch was brought in to stabilize the ship midseason. The change in coaching was preceded by Leeds United losing five from six matches, conceding twenty-one goals in that span. Bielsa’s style of football does not involve much defensive pragmatism, so a fresh change in approach was required, or the threat of Leeds United being relegated was a genuine possibility.
When Marsch took the helm at the club, Leeds sat two points above the relegation zone with the second worst goal difference in the league. By the end of the season, the former NY Red Bulls head coach kept his club in the Premier League and gave his players a foundation on which they could build. However, change within the club continued.
This summer saw Leeds’ two best players leave Elland Road; captain Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City and mercurial winger Raphinha to Barcelona. The funds from those transfers were used to bolster the squad, resulting in four new additions, two of which are also Americans Marsch has previously worked with. While the two best players have left the club, the squad has become more robust.
A seemless recruiting operation followed by a strong preseason in Australia has set the club up for a promising season. Leeds is now unbeaten in the first three Premier League matches, playing assertive and entertaining attacking football.
If Leeds United can keep pace with how they’ve started the season, there is no reason they can’t compete with clubs fighting for midtable positions. They have the right leadership in place from top to bottom to continue to grow this exciting project.
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