Leeds fans will be laughing along with Clint Dempsey after Jesse Marsch verdict

Jesse Marsch will not be remembered fondly at Leeds United.

From mistimed comments to the press, disagreements with supporters and a stubbornness that saw results incredibly hard to come by, the American endured a torrid time at Elland Road.

The fact of the matter is that he was on a hiding to nothing given the circumstances.

There are not many - if any - managers out there capable of building on what Marcelo Bielsa had at Leeds, leaving Marsch in an incredibly difficult position.

However, for the aforementioned reasons, and given the eventual relegation kick-started under his guidance, Whites fans will never look back on his time at the helm with any fondness.

And after Clint Dempsey's comments on him, fans in West Yorkshire may just be letting out a chuckle.

Clint Dempsey holds nothing back in Jesse Marsch criticism

Following his Leeds departure in 2023, Marsch would take over as boss of the Canadian national team - a somewhat bizarre choice given his American nationality and his public comments about coaching the USA.

Guiding the Canadians to the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa America, and seeing them into the home World Cup, he has been a net positive in charge.

Former US international Dempsey, though, remains far from convinced, particularly regarding Marsch's recent comments that he had to convince players to sing the national anthem while working as an assistant to Bob Bradley.

"He really said that? I really can't take that guy too seriously," said the former forward on Fox Soccer, echoing what many Leeds fans said week in and week out just three years ago.

"It was an honour for me, growing up and representing my country," added Dempsey. "When the national anthem started, I wasn't usually one who would sing. I would put my hand on my heart and pray to the good man upstairs.

"I am someone who has bled for this country, I have broke my nose playing for this country and I have came back from two heart procedures and played for this country.

"So, I am not going to take advice from someone who switched to the other side and is singing another countries national anthem. Stay in your own lane and worry about your own team."

Marsch stood no chance at Leeds

As mentioned, whoever took over from Bielsa in 2022 had a huge task on their hands.

This was made even more difficult when Marsch's character is considered - the pair simply could not be more different.

The American is combustible, with a reputation of talking himself into controversy with how easily he bites and reacts to comments - unaided by his lack of experience in the English game.

At that time, the Whites needed another calm and inspirational figure, and he most certainly wasn't that.

Even since then, he has failed to fully take his share of the blame, which has naturally angered fans.

However, he was never the right fit in the first place, and if anything, his appointment was indicative of the mismanagement that brought Leeds' most recent Premier League stint to a premature end.