Marsch says Leeds squad were overtrained under Bielsa

By Sam Preston

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch has suggested that Marcelo Bielsa was working his Whites squad too hard during his reign.

Speaking to TalkSPORT, Marsch has offered some insight into his training methods and the players he inherited at Elland Road.

Bielsa’s famously intense methods helped Leeds get into the Premier League but the club felt compelled to make a change and now they are all but safe.

“The injury issue to me had a lot to do with training methodology. These players were overtrained,” said Marsch.

“It led to them being physically, mentally, psychologically, emotionally, in a difficult place to recover week to week.

“I have a very specific methodology for the way I work and I have a reputation for high running data in the way we play but also having healthy, fit, strong players to play the way we play.

“That has helped the players out. The one with Patrick, I felt terrible about because the responsibility of the coach to protect their players, I feel that my responsibility to get that right.

“But we’re getting healthy and strong with the entire group.”

Leeds needed something as radical as Bielsa’s methods to get back into the top flight. He took the players to new heights.

But when you are losing most weeks and losing heavily, it must be tough for the players to keep the confidence, especially when they are dropping like flies in terms of injuries.

Marsch has come in, and added his own flavour to things and it looks like it will be enough to keep Leeds up, for which he deserves huge credit.