Leeds fans given painful reminder of Jesse Marsch failures despite Canada World Cup rout

Jesse Marsch is not an altogether too popular figure among Leeds United supporters.

The American was always going to struggle to capture hearts and minds in the same that predecessor Marcelo Bielsa did at Elland Road.

There were some initial signs of encouragement, and a final-day win over Brentford in the 2021-22 season to retain Premier League status offered home of brighter days to come.

However, Marsch departed Elland Road with a hugely underwhelming 29.73 per cent win percentage by February 2023.

Leeds would, of course, go on to be relegated as both Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce failed to yield an upturn in results to secure survival.

But Marsch shoulders much of the blame for the failures of that relegation season - at least on the pitch - and there were some painful reminders for the Whites faithful on Thursday evening.

Performative Jesse Marsch antics bring back painful Leeds memories

On the face of it, it appears strange to level criticism at a coach who had just guided co-hosts Canada to a 6-0 battering of Qatar at the World Cup.

Indeed, even stranger when you think it was the nation's first-ever victory at global football's premier international event.

And yet, there were moments during and after the game that just prove a little too close to the bone for Leeds supporters.

Social media was awash with clips of Marsch doing his usual performative schtick on the sidelines - not least a questionable jig reminiscent of Alan Pardew's famous dance in the FA Cup final a decade ago.

There was also the histrionics with Qatar boss Julen Lopetegui after the game, the content of which isn't clear, but the actions are surely best placed behind closed doors.

Leeds fans became accustomed to these sort of histrionics during his forgettable spell in West Yorkshire, with Marsch always talking a good game, but failing consistently to deliver results.

Marsch days thankfully in the rear-view mirror for Leeds

The good news from a Leeds perspective, is that those dour days under Marsch are a thing of the past.

Leeds' picture under the guide of 49ers Enterprisers off the pitch, and Daniel Farke in the dugout, is now thankfully much rosier.

A successful return to the Premier League over the past season means planning can continue at a pace to restore Leeds to the upper echelons of the top flight.

If anything, seeing Marsch try - once again - to be the centre of attention is just a timely and welcome reminder of how far the Whites have come in the past few seasons.