Leeds United have decided to part ways with manager Marcelo Bielsa with Jesse Marsch set to be handed the chance to keep the club in the Premier League.
66-year-old Bielsa has been under increasing pressure at Elland Road after a terrible run of form, which continued with a 4-0 mauling at the hands of Tottenham in Saturday’s early kick-off.
That result came just less than a week after Leeds shipped six against Liverpool at Anfield and four against bitter rivals Manchester United, and from sources that the defeat against Antonio Conte’s side has prompted the club’s hierarchy to make a change.
Sources have confirmed that Marsch had already spoken to intermediaries about taking over at Leeds in the summer, with the assumption that Bielsa would be leaving the club at the end of the season. That prospective appointment now looks likely to be brought forward and the American will be given a first opportunity to manage in the Premier League.
Leeds are currently in talks with Bielsa about how his departure will pan out; one which will bring to an end a reign that started in 2018 and resulted in promotion back to the Premier League in 2020.
In their first season back in the big time, Leeds made a huge impact – finishing inside the top ten by playing a brand of expansive, pressing football that no other side dare play. But this season has been far tougher going and they have been dragged firmly into the relegation battle after a succession of heavy defeats.
Leeds currently sit just two points above the drop zone having lost their last four games, and they’ve conceded an alarming 17 goals in that time.
As for Marsch, he’s currently unemployed after a short spell in charge of RB Leipzig, whom he joined last summer after a successful two-year stint at sister Red Bull outfit Salzburg. He spent three years in charge of New York Red Bulls before that after beginning life as a manager at Montreal Impact.
