Jesse Marsch not worried by touchline ban as he bids to guide Leeds from up high - Independent 1/10/22
The American was hit with a one-match suspension and fined £10,000 by the Football Association.
Mark Walker
Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch aims to turn his touchline ban
for Sunday’s home Premier League game against Aston Villa into an advantage.
Marsch has been an animated presence in the technical area
since taking over from Marcelo Bielsa in February, but over-stepped the mark in
Leeds’ recent defeat at Brentford.
His furious protests after his side were denied a
second-half penalty earned him a red card. He was later hit with a one-match
suspension and fined £10,000 by the Football Association.
The American said: “I actually like the vantage point of
being up high, I think it allows you to see the match better.
“I’ve often considered actually managing or coaching from
that position, and then coming in at half-time and things like that.
“It’s a test to see how good we can be, how much we can be
unified, how clear we are with everything on a day where I’m not right on top
of everything.”
Marsch said he still disagreed with the penalty verdict, his
red card and ban, but chose not to appeal because he “wanted to respect their
decision”.
“When I was in Leipzig, actually the last three matches I
coached from the kitchen with Covid, so this is hardly as bad as that,” the
48-year-old said.
“I’m just banned from the touchline, I can be with them
before the match and at half-time in the dressing room.
“I’ll watch the game from the gantry and I’ll have
communication with the staff, but I believe that the team will be fully
prepared and ready and I know that the staff will also do a really good job in
my absence on the touchline.”
Leeds will be back in action for the first time in four
weeks after the Queen’s death and the international break and several key
players have emerged fully-fit following injury.
Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo, skipper Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling
and Junior Firpo are all in contention, while Marsch revealed summer signing
Wilfried Gnonto will also be included in the squad.
Marsch described Gnonto as one for the future when the
teenager arrived from FC Zurich on deadline day and signed a five-year deal.
But the 18-year-old forward has forced Marsch’s hand after
making his sixth senior appearance – and third start – for Roberto Mancini’s
Italy in Monday’s Nations League win in Hungary.
Marsch added: “I can say that he has pleasantly surprised all
of us in almost every way. He’s been fantastic.
“He will be in the squad this weekend and we think he can
play a big role for us now. I guess you can say I would revise my statement.”