Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Fri 20 March 2026 10:40, UK

Leeds United are in safe hands with the 49ers Enterprises and Daniel Farke has done a good job so far, says former boss Jesse Marsch.

Shortly before the 49ers’ Leeds takeover was confirmed in July 2023, Farke was appointed as manager on a four-year deal.

Marsch was sacked earlier that year as Leeds got relegated from the Premier League, after the American kept them up the season prior.

The Canada national team boss has repeatedly spoken about his time at Leeds since his dismissal, with the 52-year-old firing subtle, and not so subtle, digs at his former employers.

Now, Marsch has weighed in on Leeds’ relegation fight, Farke, the 49ers and more, with the ex-RB Leipzig boss suggesting the current owners are less reactionary than Andrea Radrizzani – the owner he worked under.

Jesse Marsch agrees with Daniel Farke’s characterisation of Leeds

During Farke’s Elland Road tenure, he has repeatedly said that Leeds is such an “emotional” club, while hailing the fans as the best in the Premier League.

Marsch has also characterised the Yorkshire outfit as an emotional side, and that is why it is so important to have a calming presence in the dugout.

The American talked up that part of his character but rarely showed it as he was sacked with Leeds 17th in the Premier League. Leeds went through two more managers in Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce in the 2022-23 season, with Marsch hinting that the instability above him didn’t help when he was in charge.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It will be a challenge [to stay up]. Leeds is a big club. It’s a very emotional club. When you’re the manager there, one of the keys is just to try and maintain calm and patience, and I think Daniel has done a pretty good job of that. I still know the 49ers.

“They are trying to create stability at the club and they have a long-term vision. In sport, not just the Premier League or football, the more successful organisations are the ones that have a long-term vision and stick to it.

“The ones that are knee-jerk and think they always need a better idea or solution, or better person or leader, are the ones that get caught in a dangerous cycle. I believe the 49ers are the type of people that understand how to create longevity in sports business, and know how to have a plan and stick to it.”

Marsch talks a good game but other than keeping Leeds up on the final day of the season in 2022, the American was far from successful at the Whites.

He is having more joy with Canada as they prepare to jointly host this summer’s World Cup. It remains to be seen if Leeds will still be in the Premier League the next time Marsch speaks about the Yorkshire outfit.

Leeds face crucial clash against Brentford

Leeds are just three points above the relegation zone with eight matches of the Premier League season to go.

The Whites have an easier run-in than most on paper, with fixtures against relegation-threatened Wolves, Burnley, Tottenham, and West Ham to come.

First up, though, Leeds take on Europe-chasing Brentford at Elland Road under the lights on Saturday night. After three games without a goal, MOT Leeds News is predicting Farke to name an attacking line-up.

Victory over Keith Andrews’ men will go a long way to ensuring Leeds’ survival this season, although they are still eight points off the 40-point mark.

It will be interesting to see how calm Farke and the 49ers will be during this crucial stretch.