Leeds United: Richard Keys told squad liked Jesse Marsch as Premier League twists continue
Richard Keys has shared that Jesse Marsch was well-liked by his Leeds United squad while in the dugout at Elland Road, but the players struggled to gauge what the manager wanted from them.
The former Whites boss has caused a stir since being sacked as Leeds manager in February, failing to come to agreements with both Southampton and Leicester City over their vacant managerial posts when in the final stages of talks.
Fabrizio Romano shared on Sunday (9 April) that the American had failed to agree on the final points of the role at the King Power Stadium after negotiations had taken place over a three-day period.
Writing in his personal blog, Keys shared what he had been told about Marsch’s time in the Elland Road dugout and the relationships he had established with his team.
“He deserved great credit for keeping Leeds in the PL last season – and I said as much then. I still believe they’d have gone down if Bielsa had stayed in charge,” Keys wrote.
“Marsch made many friends at Elland Road. I’m told the players thought he was a really nice guy – but, in the end, they just couldn’t work out what he wanted from them.
“Marsch overcame the language barrier. He talked of ‘football’ not ‘soccer’. Of ‘away games’ not ‘road trips’. So no stick to beat him with there.
“But. I’d love it if someone would explain to me how it is that a man, recently sacked by a club battling for their PL lives, has the temerity to turn down two offers to stay in England and continue to work in the PL? Marsch must really rate himself.”
Lack of clarity
Over the course of his 12 months on the job, many Leeds United fans still couldn’t figure out the tactics of Marsch.
Yes, the former RB Leipzig boss encouraged his team to play a high-tempo and aggressive style of play, but beyond that, the Whites lacked any sort of clarity.
Too often this season, Leeds were saved by the brilliance of one individual, and this is certainly one of the main reasons the Whites couldn’t build any consistency whatsoever.
Despite his shortcomings as s manager in West Yorkshire, it is no surprise to hear that the players enjoyed working under the American.
His personality was infectious and he always spoke well in the media – traits that are likely to have translated well to the training ground.
Marsch’s reluctance to take both the Saints job and the vacant Leicester City position could be evidence that he wants a little bit of time away from the Premier League after his tumultuous time at Elland Road.
In other Leeds news, Sky Sports commentator fumes at “shocking” thing he saw in defeat to Crystal Palace.