Marcelo Bielsa has been sacked by Leeds United, and sources have confirmed that former United States midfielder Jesse Marsh is the principle contender to succeed him.
Leeds have had a scorching week, first struggling a 6-0 defeat away to Liverpool on Wednesday earlier than dropping 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at house on Saturday in what was Bielsa’s remaining.
Marsh, 48, left Bundesliga facet RB Leipzig by mutual settlement in December, 5 months after taking cost, and sources stated he’s the front-runner for the emptiness at Elland Highway.
He beforehand received two titles within the Austrian league in Salzburg. Marsh started his administration profession at Montreal Affect in 2011 and has additionally managed the New York Purple Bulls. Ralf Rangnick, now interim supervisor of Manchester United, has appointed Marsh as his assistant throughout his time at Leipzig.
Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani, upon Bielsa’s exit, stated: “This was essentially the most tough determination I’ve needed to make throughout my tenure at Leeds United, contemplating all of the success Marcelo has had on the membership.
“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three nice campaigns and the nice instances returned to Elland Highway. He modified the membership’s tradition and introduced a profitable mentality to all of us. The moments created, particularly within the 2019-20 season and profitable promotion to the Premier League, after all we’ll dwell lengthy. In all our recollections, me and the followers.
“Nonetheless, I need to work for the nice of the membership and I consider a change is now required with the intention to safe our place within the Premier League. The outcomes and up to date efficiency didn’t dwell as much as our expectations.
“We discover ourselves in a really precarious place within the league and I really feel now could be the time to usher in a brand new coach, with the intention to make an affect on the essential stage of the season.”
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Bielsa, 66, joined Leeds in 2018, and led the membership again to the Premier League by profitable the event in 2020, ending the membership’s 16-year absence from the Premier League.
Leeds completed ninth of their first Premier League season, however a tough second season, which noticed the workforce lose 5 of their final six video games, spelled the top of Bielsa’s reign at Island Highway. Bielsa oversaw a sequence of 4 consecutive defeats within the league, conceding 17 targets, whereas Leeds lead by two factors over Burnley, who completed final, after taking part in two extra video games.
Director of Soccer Victor Orta added: “Since his arrival at Leeds United, Marcelo has had a huge effect on the membership, on a scale I’ve by no means seen earlier than.
“He has created a legacy, overseeing main infrastructure enhancements at Thorp Arch, uniting followers and gamers, and giving younger gamers a transparent path to make the transition to the primary workforce.
“It is disappointing that his reign ought to have ended this manner, given the particular instances we have loved in recent times, which have been a number of the better of my profession, however we won’t disguise from the latest outcomes.
“I wish to thank Marcelo for his dedication and dedication, and need him each success going ahead.”
The membership added that plans are underway to honor Bielsa completely on Elland Highway.
Info from ESPN’s Tom Hamilton was used on this report.