Pundit: Marsch appointment ‘massive gamble’ for Leeds United
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Hiring Jesse Marsch as their new manager is a “massive gamble” for Leeds United, according to former goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
Marsch was hired on Monday, just over 24 hours after Marcelo Bielsa was sacked by the Whites on 27 February.
The former RB Leipzig manager joins the Yorkshire club in a battle against relegation with the drop zone currently just two points away.
Marsch was sacked by Leipzig in December after just four months in the job in the Bundesliga but has previously impressed in positions at Montreal, New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg.
Robinson has mixed opinions on Marsch being Bielsa’s successor but wants fans to show faith in the board because the last managerial appointment they made was spot on.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “It’s a massive gamble.
“Marsch did well in Austria at Salzburg and did well in America but then he went to Leipzig, a big job. He oversaw them being beaten 6-3 by Manchester City in the Champions League, he was only there for 14 Bundesliga games and won five so there was something badly amiss from the outside looking in.
“It’s not an appointment that fills me with the confidence of him keeping Leeds in the Premier League.
It’s very narrow-minded to think that he’s a foreign coach who doesn’t know the league because every coach knows every league in the world, every manager worth their salt knows football inside out so you know, you can’t say he doesn’t know the Premier League.
“But he is challenging himself in the hardest league in the world in the hardest position a team can be in – a relegation battle.
“He’s coming into the league unknown and untested, it’s a massive risk.
“As I say, it doesn’t fill me with confidence that Marsch can keep Leeds in the Premier League or he’s going to be able to work with this group of players.
“But you have to put your confidence in the hierarchy, in the board, in the owner and trust they’ve made the right decision.
“This is a big gamble and it is in no way whatsoever guaranteeing Leeds’ safety in the Premier League. It’s a risk.”
In other Leeds United news, images show Bielsa leaving Thorp Arch for the final time.