By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
American coach Jesse Marsch has been appointed as Leeds United manager pending international clearance, the Premier League club confirmed on Monday.
Marsch, a former RB Leipzig and New York Bulls coach, replaces Marcelo Bielsa, who was sacked on Sunday following a downturn in results. Marsch’s contract will run until June 2025 and his first game in charge will be Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.
The 48-year-old former RB Leipzig boss arrives with Leeds sitting just two points above the relegation zone.
The club said Marsch had been appointed “pending international clearance” on a deal running until June 2025 and that he would take charge for Saturday’s league game at Leicester.
“We have a long-term plan and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and are excited for what the future holds,” said director of football Victor Orta.
Leeds are deep in relegation trouble after Bielsa’s reign imploded with five defeats in their last six games.
They conceded 20 goals in Bielsa’s final five matches, culminating in the 4-0 home defeat by Tottenham on Saturday that proved the last straw for the Leeds board.
“Jesse is someone we identified a number of years ago during his time at [Salzburg] and we believe his philosophy and style of football aligns with that of the club and will suit the players very well,” Orta said. “We have a long-term plan and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and are excited for what the future holds.”
Marsch spent 13 years in MLS, at Chicago and Chivas USA, during his playing days and also made two appearances for the USMNT.
In sacking Bielsa, Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani said it was “the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds,” while the club added that plans for a permanent tribute to Bielsa at Elland Road are under way and more information will be released in due course.