Tim Howard gives verdict on Leeds closing in on Jesse Marsch

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Tim Howard has told NBC Sports that he believes that Jesse Marsch is a really good choice for Leeds United with the 48-year-old in line to replace Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

It has been an emotional few days for Leeds supporters. Bielsa’s tenure came to an end after a torrid run of form. However, it says a lot about the impact Bielsa made that there were very few voices of discontent amongst the fans inside Elland Road on Saturday.

He has left with iconic status in tact. And of course, the person who follows him now faces a huge task trying to vindicate the club’s decision to let him go.

It would appear that Marsch is set to become the next Leeds boss. Reports claimed over the weekend that talks were well down the line. And The Athletic has now suggested that his appointment is looking to be extremely close.

Leeds meanwhile, confirmed that an announcement on Bielsa’s successor would be made on Monday.

Marsch arrives with a huge point to prove. Not only is he replacing potentially the most popular boss Leeds have had since Don Revie, but he is also arriving without any experience in the Premier League.

‘Marsch can bring that’

Some pundits have made the infuriating calls that Leeds should turn to recently-relegated Sam Allardyce to save them from relegation.

In fairness, Marsch was dismissed by RB Leipzig earlier this season after a brief spell in Germany. So it is a gamble to hope for the American to make an immediate impact at Leeds.

But Howard suggested that he can see Marsch proving a real success at Elland Road.

“I think when you look at Jesse Marsch, if the rumours are to be believed, it’s a really good hire,” he told NBC Sports.

“Here’s why, the way that he plays, and we know that Ralf Rangnick is doing it at Manchester United, 4-2-2-2, it’s all about high-tempo, pressing, recovering the ball. Well, this is a ready-made team for that because the players are already committed to pressing, already committed to running their socks off and recovering the ball.

“They just need some defensive stability and Jesse Marsch can bring that.”

Leeds have rolled the dice with Marsch appointment, but it looks to be an educated gamble

Some Leeds fans remained adamant that Bielsa would save the club from relegation. And there may have been other contenders that some supporters may have preferred.

But Marsch looks to be a smart choice as Bielsa’s successor at Leeds. As Howard suggests, the style of play already ticks a lot of the boxes Marsch looks for.

Leeds surely cannot afford to rip everything up after Bielsa’s departure. The squad still has several of the players already in the side when Bielsa took over in the Championship.

So Marsch could be a really inspired option. But clearly, in the short-term, it looks absolutely imperative that he keeps Leeds in the Premier League.