The exciting brand of football that Marcelo Bielsa brought to Leeds United certainly will not be lost following the appointment of Jesse Marsch.
The new Whites boss comes to Elland Road with a very similar ethos to his predecessor with high-intensity pressing and attacking play at the forefront of his thinking.
His footballing CV might not be as impressive as some supporters would have hoped for but his ideologies made him the ideal candidate to take the reins.
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Marsch is a product of the Red Bull model having managed the New York Red Bulls, RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig in his short coaching career so far.
His stint with the German side was brief as he and the club decided to part ways in December 2021, less than six months after he was appointed.
But even in that short time at the club, he was able to play a key role in the development of some of the star players for the Bundesliga side.
Christopher Nkunku was the player who benefitted the most from Marsch’s tuition as he managed 14 goals and nine assists in 21 matches across all competitions under his leadership.
Josko Gvardiol is another Leipzig player who particularly impressed during the American’s time at the club despite the early season struggles.
He has emerged as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe this term and looks set to be the next Red Bull-based player to secure a big-money move.
However, as mentioned, the time in Germany was arguably the toughest period of Marsch’s career so far, especially considering the success he enjoyed with Salzburg.
It was in Austria where he enhanced his reputation as a coach with a keen eye for developing young talent.
In the two years he spent with the club, between 2019 and 2021, several of the players that he mentored have gone onto become some of biggest names on the continent.
He was in charge of Salzburg when Erling Haaland, who was born in Leeds, announced himself to the world. Even though the prolific young striker only spent half the season with Marsch, he scored a staggering 28 goals in 22 games.
His strike partner was almost equally as lethal in front of goal as Patson Daka, now at Leicester, netted 27 goals and put on 12 assists in 45 games in all competitions.
The Zambian frontman, like Haaland, has adapted immediately to life in one of Europe’s major leagues and highlights how well Marsch has been able to develop players to be ready to face opponents of improved quality.
The other players who worked, and developed immensely, under the new Leeds boss at Salzburg include Dominik Szoboszlai, Takumi Minamino and Karim Adeyemi.
Brenden Aaronson, the Whites’ prime target in the January transfer window, is also someone who has experience of working under Marsch and further shows just how much those in charge at Elland Road are impressed by the Red Bull model.
The development of young players will be something that intrigues Leeds fans with all of the talent on show in Mark Jackson’s U23 squad.
It will also be exciting for the players themselves.
A youngster like Joe Gelhardt will be particularly keen to work with Marsch after he has been able to play a pivotal role in the developments of a number of highly-rated forwards.
Although, before fans and players at Leeds start to look too far into the future, the new man in charge needs to ensure his side are playing in the Premier League next season.
If the Whites want to hold on to their best players, and attract new signings to Elland Road, survival this term is more than essential.
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