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Joe Donnohue

Jesse Marsch's first words as Leeds United head coach as American replaces 'hero' Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds United have replaced Marcelo Bielsa with 48-year-old coach Jesse Marsch.

A statement was released by the club on Monday evening, confirming the American's appointment at Elland Road.

Marsch's most recent job was at German side RB Leipzig, but has also spent time in the dugout with New York Red Bulls and FC Red Bull Salzburg.

Marsch brings Cameron Toshack on board with him as assistant manager, while the rest of his backroom team are yet to be announced.

His contract runs until summer 2025.

Marsch is excited about the prospect of managing Leeds United in the Premier League and says he is ready to take on the new challenge in his career.

“It’s something I’m really excited about, I know what a big club Leeds is, I know ex-players who have played here and I’ve watched this club from afar for many years and I’m really honoured and excited to be here,” said the former Leipzig manager.

“One of the things I love about this team right now is their commitment no matter how difficult the games have been, to play until the end, fight for each other, to never stop and to give everything to each other at every moment.

“This mentality and mindset to play for the fans, fight for the fans and to fight for each other is what I love, as a manager that is what I identify, a team that has heart, passion and plays for each other with everything they have.

“My style of play, my aggressiveness and the desire I have for teams to be intensive and to run and make things difficult for the opponent fits with what has been done here for three-and-a-half years.

“I have to identify how to do the important things and simple things right away, before building the complexity moving forwards.

“We have all the tools here, I’m here to help this group understand how we can get better and handling the moment right now, we have to stay calm and control what we can control, we are still in a good situation where we control all of our
destiny.

“The focus on every day and every moment and removing stress will be really important for us to have success over the coming months.”

On his predecessor, Marsch stated his admiration for revered former head coach Marcelo Bielsa.

“My respect and admiration for Marcelo Bielsa is massive," the American said.

“When I was assistant coach with the US national team in my first full-time coaching job, our first game was against Chile and Marcelo Bielsa.

“I followed his career and watched what he has done from afar and certainly he is a hero here.

“How he has helped transform Leeds United into a Premier League team is pretty amazing."

“For me, I just want help to take the torch to the next phase, everything that has been done has laid and incredible foundation and coming in at this moment, I want to do everything I can to take the club into the next stage of our history," he finished.

Marsch's first game in charge, pending international clearance, will be this weekend's fixture against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

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