Ted Lasso heat can be pushed onto Chris Armas now Jesse Marsch has got him in the building at Leeds United. The Whites head coach has referenced the fictional television character on a few occasions as a stick the British media beats him with.
Marsch’s tongue has generally been in his cheek when he’s mentioned it and he could not help again making a joke about it with compatriot Armas now by his side again. Marsch is, naturally, over the moon the former Manchester United coach has linked up with him.
“First it'll take away the Ted Lasso moniker from me so much and give it to him,” he said. “That might be better.
READ MORE: Leeds United's dressing room secrets leak and the Jesse Marsch philosophy Pep Guardiola's using
“We know each other. Even Frankie Schiemer and I, we worked together in the past, it was two years.
“Chris and I have known each other a long time. We've won championships together. We've had hard losses together. We've played for the national team together. We've worked together as coaches.
“There's been a very close tie in both of our careers and the experiences we've had. My respect level for him, as a player, as a teammate, was higher than probably any other teammate I've ever had in my entire career.
“He was my captain when I was at the Chicago Fire, but more so I felt like he was my partner in the midfield as we were the two defensive midfielders that helped that club be so successful in the timeframe we were together. Then what we built in New York together was also really special.
“Even when he got the experience in Man Utd, I was excited for him. I knew he would do well and I knew it would, in some ways, qualify him to be with me at some point in this adventure I'm on in Europe.
“Once everything came about in the summer it would have been a perfect fit, but just personally, in his life, [it] wasn't the right time. Now is the right time and he'll, in every way, help us communicate effectively with the team and invest with the team in ways to make them better.”
Marsch has never wavered in his belief the boardroom has backed him all the way since he arrived, through the roughest of spells. This month’s investment again showed the club’s ownership was putting its money where its mouth is with the American.
Marsch was asked if Armas’s arrival was another clear message to the outside world from the club on how much they want to give him all the tools he needs.
“Yes,” he said. “We have been very aligned and I understand the criticism. We have to win more, but the work that's been done behind the scenes by the leadership group within the club and by the team and the support staff here at Thorp Arch has been some of the best I've been a part of as a professional, so I'm very thankful to be here.
“I'm very thankful for the support I have. I'm very thankful for the work we commit to every day and I know, to 100 per cent, we are on the right path and we are going to get better and better.”
READ NEXT:
Leeds United's Cody Drameh ready to do his talking on the pitch in Luton Town loan
Sunderland 'close in' on loan move for Leeds United's Joe Gelhardt with medical planned
Every word Jesse Marsch said on Drameh, Rutter, Harrison and Leeds United's FA Cup target
Mixed emotions for Leeds United supporters as Marcelo Bielsa 'flies in' for Everton talks
Leeds United confirm fifth January exit as in-demand star set for promotion charge
