‘I think it’s very unfair’: Brad Friedel slams media and some Leeds fans for Jesse Marsch assumptions

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Former Blackburn, Tottenham and USA goalkeeper, Brad Friedel, has slammed the media and fan perspective that American coach Jesse Marsch can’t do the business at Leeds United.

Much has been made of Leeds’ appointment of Marsch. The American got off to a losing start yesterday at Leicester although his team did look very much the part for a lot of the game. Questions have arisen about whether Marsch can adapt to the English game. It’s something he’s spoken about himself, admitting that fictional characters like Ted Lasso don’t exactly do him any favours.

However, according to Friedel, Marsch will be just fine and he even called into the question the admiration for a man like Marcelo Bielsa – who needed a translator – compared to the English speaking Marsch.

“I think it’s very unfair. I mean, what is the difference if a manager comes in and doesn’t speak English and uses a translator? Why wouldn’t you give him the same grief as a man who calls things soccer or PK’s,” Friedel said on Stadium Astro.

“I think Jesse will have been calling it football throughout his coaching education. He’s much younger than Bob Bradley and the terminology was different. But if that’s what the basis is going to be to decide if a manager is good or bad, then I think that’s incredibly unfair. I think the players overall will like Jesse.”

TBR’s View: Friedel Is Spot On But English Football Can Be Strange

For all the brilliance of English football (or soccer), there are traditions which some fans and pundits find it hard to get away from.

As Friedel says, it shouldn’t make any difference how Marsch says different footballing terms. He’s quite open about things too, so that should help get any sceptical Leeds fans onboard as well.

The comparison to Bielsa not even speaking English is a good one from Friedel. Bielsa was adored in Leeds regardless and if Marsch can get results and engage with the community like Bielsa did, then he should be just fine.