Jesse Marsch comments look an unnecessary risk from Leeds boss

Add as preferred source on Google

There is absolutely no question that the Leeds United board took a big gamble when they decided to sack Marcelo Bielsa and replace the club icon with Jesse Marsch.

Bielsa led Leeds to promotion. And once back in the Premier League, a top-half finish was achieved.

This season had unravelled. However, replacing Bielsa with Marsch seemed a real roll of the dice.

Marsch had no Premier League experience and was out of work after failing to impress with RB Leipzig.

A lot of the concerns about Marsch – admittedly, from many not connected with the fanbase – seemed incredibly unfair. Few Premier League managers have had to discuss their nationality more than Marsch has. And he has only taken charge of six games.

It did appear that the gamble would backfire when Leeds lost 3-0 to Aston Villa in Marsch’s first home game. Marsch was not at fault. But the atmosphere inside Elland Road turned toxic with the board facing huge criticism for replacing Bielsa at that point.

‘These players were overtrained’

Marsch however, has bounced back. And Leeds can now see another year in the Premier League emerging on the horizon.

There is still work to be done. But three wins in four have put the Whites in a fantastic position.

And in truth, Marsch has hardly put a foot wrong, it seems. Leeds have got the results. The players look to be loving playing for him. And there is absolutely no question that he is hugely impressive in press conferences.

The jury is still out on whether he will take the club forward in the long run. But results are all that really matter right now. And Marsch is handling that.

He deserves huge credit. It would have been easy for the fanbase to split after Bielsa was sacked. The results had been poor. But clearly, there was so much disappointment about a legend leaving.

But Jesse Marsch has united the club once again. And Leeds seem to have another head coach they can be proud of.

But there is no doubt that he raised some eyebrows on Tuesday with an interview with talkSPORT. In a 15-minute chat, he happened to mention that the players had been overtrained previously.

Of course, it is clear what this was getting at. And it has definitely prompted plenty of debate on social media.

Jesse Marsch fair in his comments, but Leeds boss has taken unnecessary risk

What must be said is Marsch is not taking shots at Bielsa. You do not have to look too hard to find the American lauding his predecessor.

And deep down, Leeds supporters must accept that he is not incorrect. It became agonising to see the likes of Kalvin Phillips and others come off injured at crucial moments in the season. And there was a desire for Bielsa to adapt to give players the best chance to stay fit.

Having said that, you could understand if some fans felt that Marsch had taken an unnecessary risk with his comments.

Some have not taken the comments well. It is potentially one of the first own goals of his tenure.

Perhaps there were other ways of phrasing the notion that Leeds’ players had been overtrained. Perhaps some fans need to accept that Marsch being honest is more important.

Some have probably overreacted. But Marsch has probably given himself a point to prove again by highlighting the issue in that manner.