Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Laurie Martin

Angus Kinnear reveals Jesse Marsch conversation that gave Leeds United board confidence

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch can't be judged on last season, according to CEO Angus Kinnear. The American steered Leeds clear of relegation last season after taking over from Marcelo Bielsa in February.

Marsch won four of his 11 games in charge of the Whites last season, but Kinnear says the 48-year-old can't be judged off those matches, as he had to make 'pragmatic decisions'.

“We can’t judge him on his football from last season," Kinnear told The Square Ball Podcast when asked if Marsch had to prove himself to the Leeds supporters.

"He came in to do a very specific job, which was to keep us up and he had to make some pragmatic decisions that aren’t tied to the football he wants to play. He had to come in and make a judgement call about how much adaptation the players could take at that point in the season and what they could deliver while confidence was low.

READ MORE: Tyler Adams backed to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League with Leeds United

"He is the manager, I think, to go out and give the supporters the brand of football that Elland Road wants. We had a discussion with him about the Cagliari game and when they came back to 3-2, we said ‘Jesse, at 3-0 up, shouldn’t you have been sitting back and dropping the midfielders in?’ He said: ‘No, no, because I knew we’d score six, so it doesn't matter.'

“He wants to play an ambitious and flamboyant style, but I think it will be mixed with a more pragmatic approach to defending, a more pragmatic approach to set-pieces, and that’ll keep us in games, and give us the ability to win more games.”

READ NEXT:

Jesse Marsch maps out next Leeds United addition after Andrea Radrizzani transfer talks

Jesse Marsch provides Leeds United injury latest as Liam Cooper ruled out of Wolves clash

Jesse Marsch details Dani van den Heuvel recovery after Leeds United star's 'worrying' car crash

Leeds United's Lewis Bate sets loan target after leaving Elland Road for League One

Leeds United transfer news LIVE: Bate exit confirmed with Che Adams and Arnaud Kalimuendo latest

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.