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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mathew Davies

Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch reveals exactly why he appointed Cameron Toshack as coaching team contract lengths confirmed

New Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch says Cameron Toshack's people skills was one of the main reasons why he added him to his coaching team.

Elland Road chiefs this week appointed American Marsch as Marcelo Bielsa's replacement in south Yorkshire after a string of poor results.

It brought to an end a special era at the club, with Bielsa a cult figure with the support base - a fact that is unlikely to change.

But form of the pitch was dire towards the end of the Argentine's tenure and a change was ordered, with Marsch the first choice.

The club moved quickly to appoint him, with Toshack's inclusion in his coaching team a bit of an eyebrow-raiser when it was revealed on Monday.

But those in south Wales will not need any convincing of his talents, with the coach a key part of Swansea academy's rise to prominence, with names such as Daniel James, Oli McBurnie and Joe Rodon thriving under his stewardship.

A spell in Cyprus followed, and now back on these shores, Toshack will bring a wealth of experience to the Premier League outfit.

Marsch, at his first media briefing with the press, explained why he brought Toshack and other members of the team on board.

He said: "(Franz)Schiema knows the way I like to play.

"Toshack is very observant, he understands how to inject himself in the right way. He has a good way of relating with people.

"Only two days with Mark Jackson, but it's like we've worked together for years. Reminded me we had played against each other. In 1997 in the USA on a tour. I had asked if I fouled him."

On their website, Leeds confirmed that their coaching staff will be in place until the end of the season.

A statement read: "Leeds United are pleased to confirm Jesse Marsch’s backroom team that will be in place until the end of the season.

"Franz Schiemer joins the Whites having previously worked with Marsch as his assistant head coach at Red Bull Salzburg. As a player, the 35-year-old made over 150 appearances for Salzburg winning 25 caps for the Austrian national team.

"Former Swansea City coach Cameron Toshack also joins the new-look set up having left his role as head coach at Cypriot first division side Pafos FC in October 2020. Toshack brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked at both academy and first-team levels since 2011.

"Finally, Jesse will be supported by our current under-23s head coach Mark Jackson who will move up to first-team duties. Jackson is a popular figure at Elland Road and has overseen the development of various players who are now involved with the first-team squad.

"Former Middlesbrough and Cardiff City player Andrew Taylor will step in as interim under-23 head coach. Taylor joined Leeds United from Sunderland in 2021 after spending several years as part of the League One club's first-team staff.

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