Jesse Marsch fires response back to Sam Allardyce after what he said on Leeds United tenure
Sam Allardyce accused Jesse Marsch of being responsible for the drop in physical standards at Leeds United before taking over in 2023.
The English manager came in to try to save the Whites from relegation in the 2022-23 season, but failed and has subsequently blamed Javi Gracia and Marsch for undoing Marcelo Bielsa’s work.
The American head coach has hit back at Allardyce’s comments and shared a table on what appears to be his official X account showing the West Yorkshire outfit topping most physical metrics in the first 20 games of the Premier League campaign before he was sacked.
Despite what the former United States international may claim, his tenure was marred by poor performances, with just four wins and 10 losses from those 20 matches.
Daniel Farke finally brings stability back to Leeds United
Bielsa’s shadow had been hovering over Leeds for a while, with the Argentine manager becoming a cult of personality in LS11.
Anyone who followed the 70-year-old head coach had large boots to fill, and while Marsch managed to lead the Whites to survival on the final day of the 2021-22 season, his tenure ended in disaster.
The former RB Leipzig boss was unable to make progress at the West Yorkshire outfit, and after being given plenty of opportunities in the Premier League, his sacking at Elland Road was inevitable.
Daniel Farke took the reins at the Peacocks after 49ers Enterprises took full control of the club, and they’re now reaping the rewards of sticking by the German manager.
Speaking on No Tippy Tappy Football on 20 February, Allardyce said, “Bielsa had the top physical stats in the Premier League, so Leeds were number one. When I go to Leeds after two managers, I think at least they’re fit. The two managers after Bielsa allowed the physical stats in the Premier League to the bottom three.”
Marsch responded with, “Really?”
Daniel Farke has brought balance to Elland Road with one change
At the start of the season, Farke was determined to outwork teams in the Premier League, with Leeds opting to press high up the field.
The Whites struggled to find consistent results with their initial approach, and pressure eventually grew on the German manager.
Against Manchester City in November, a turning point came for the West Yorkshire outfit as Farke changed tactics and almost came back from two goals down to get a point in the 3-2 loss.
Since then, the flexible 5-3-2 formation the Peacocks have played has brought defensive solidity, allowing the German manager to achieve consistent results, with fans now confident of avoiding relegation in LS11.
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