‘Next phase’ – Jesse Marsch shares what he wants to do after Leeds appointment
Jesse Marsch says he has arrived at Leeds not to be Marcelo Bielsa but to continue his work and help take them to the next phase, in an interview with Sky Sports.
The American was appointed as the new manager on Monday night on a three-and-a-half year deal following Bielsa’s sacking on Sunday after nine losses in 12 games.
But while some fans were disappointed that the Argentine was let go without getting the chance to save the club, Marsch says that he ‘respects their loyalty’ but he wants to take the club to the next phase of their plan.
“I respect totally their loyalty to Marcelo Bielsa,” he said.
“You don’t see many fan bases like that around the world that have committed to a manager in such a way.
“I’m not here to be Marcelo Bielsa, I’m here to be myself and I’m here to help continue the process, to take the next steps for the club so that as proud as they are for their club and as proud as they are with their connection with Marcelo Bielsa, they can continue to be proud of what they are.
“I’m not insecure. I’m very secure with the fact that I’m just here to do a job to help take the club into the next phase and I’m going to give it everything I have and work every day to do that effectively so that we can continue to be in the Premier League and continue to be very proud of what we are.”
Challenge
Leeds need points, without a doubt, and they need them as soon as possible.
For all the good that Bielsa did during his time at Elland Road, this season has been a total failure with just five wins so far and they’re only two points above the relegation zone currently.
So while Marsch wants to implement change and bring his own ideologies and philosophy to the team, results are absolutely the most important thing between now and the end of the season.
He will need the Leeds fans to let the Bielsa storm lie and get behind him, so he can generate the type of momentum needed to drag the Whites out of their issues and build the foundations.
His attacking style will do well, but he needs to better what he did at Leipzig where he only survived half a season. Marsch has 12 games to save Leeds and keep them in the Premier League, otherwise the fans may never come round to him.
In other Leeds news, ‘Insanity’ – BBC Pundit defends major Leeds development in past 48 hours