Leeds eye ex-USMNT midfielder Jesse Marsch to interchange Marcelo Bielsa

Marcelo Bielsa has been sacked by Leeds United, it was confirmed, and sources have instructed ESPN that former United States midfielder Jesse Marsch is the main contender to succeed him.

Leeds suffered a torrid week, first struggling a 6-Zero defeat away to Liverpool on Wednesday earlier than enduring a 4-Zero loss to Tottenham Hotspur at dwelling on Saturday in what turned out to be Bielsa’s closing match.

Marsch, 48, left Bundesliga aspect RB Leipzig by mutual consent in December, 5 months after taking cost, and sources mentioned he’s the No.1 candidate for the emptiness at Elland Street.

He beforehand received two Austrian league titles at FC Salzburg. Marsch started his managerial profession at Montreal Affect in 2011 and in addition managed New York Purple Bulls. Ralf Rangnick, now Manchester United’s interim supervisor, employed Marsch as his assistant throughout his time at Leipzig.

Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani mentioned on Bielsa’s exit: “This has been the hardest determination I’ve needed to make throughout my tenure at Leeds United, bearing in mind all of the success Marcelo has had on the membership.

“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three unbelievable campaigns and the nice occasions returned to Elland Street. He modified the tradition of the membership and introduced a profitable mentality to us all. The moments created, significantly within the 2019-20 season and profitable promotion to the Premier League, will in fact stay lengthy in all our recollections, myself and the followers included.

“Nonetheless, I’ve to behave in the perfect curiosity of the membership and I consider a change is required now in an effort to safe our Premier League standing. Current outcomes and performances haven’t met our expectations.

“We discover ourselves in a precarious league place and I really feel now’s the correct time to usher in a brand new head coach, in an effort to have an effect within the decisive stage of the season.”

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Bielsa, 66, joined Leeds in 2018, guiding the membership again to the Premier League by profitable the Championship in 2020, ending the membership’s 16-year absence from England’s high flight.

Leeds completed ninth of their first marketing campaign again within the Premier League, however a troublesome second season, which has seen the aspect lose 5 of their final six video games, spelled the top of Bielsa’s reign at Elland Street. Bielsa oversaw a run of 4 straight league defeats, conceding 17 objectives, with Leeds two factors forward of third-bottom Burnley having performed two video games extra.

Director of soccer Victor Orta added: “Since arriving at Leeds United, Marcelo had a huge effect on the membership, on a scale I’ve not seen earlier than.

“He has created a legacy, overseeing main infrastructure enhancements at Thorp Arch, uniting the supporters and the gamers, and giving a transparent pathway for younger gamers to transition into the primary staff.

“It’s disappointing his reign has needed to finish on this method, given the particular occasions we now have loved lately, which have been a number of the greatest in my profession, however we can’t disguise from latest outcomes.

“I wish to thank Marcelo for his dedication and dedication, and I want him each success going ahead.”

The membership added that plans for a everlasting tribute to Bielsa at Elland Street are underway.

Info from ESPN’s Tom Hamilton was used on this report.