Mighty Leeds Weblog

LEEDS UNITED head coach Jesse Marsch has confirmed that Hwang Hee-Chan has been on the club's radar for some time - with fresh speculation linking the Wolves striker with a move to Elland Road. By Leon Wobschall The South Korean forward is reportedly available for around £15m with Marsch confirming that Leeds are admirers of the 26-year-old, who previously worked with Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. Tuesday's opponents Everton, who pegged Leeds back in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road - with full league debutant Luis Sinisterra's 55th-minute strike cancelling out Anthony Gordon's 17th-minute opener - have also been linked with Hee-Chan. "I like our team. Good players make good coaches and the more good players you can find, you can really enjoy the team. "But we have done a really good job already and I really like our group. "Everyone is working diligently together to try and put the club in a position to succeed like we already have. Th...

Jesse Marsch does not anticipate any exits from his first-team group between now and the end of the transfer window on Thursday evening By Joe Donnohue Jesse Marsch was non-committal on Daniel James’ Leeds United future during his post-match press conference following the Whites’ 1-1 draw with Everton. The American was posed with the question after links to Tottenham Hotspur arose last week, suggesting the London club were keen to add the wide player. "I like Dan,” Marsch began. "I think he's been a big part of what we've done here, before I came and since I've been here. I don't anticipate big movements in the group, but we have to just see what happens in the next 24 hours," he told journalists. Marsch has seen his squad supplemented by Luis Sinisterra this summer, while Crysencio Summerville was handed the No. 10 jersey upon signing a new long-term contract with the club. Factoring in the form of summer signing Brenden Aaronson and Jack H...

AFTER last season’s fine August fixture at Elland Road between these two venerable football institutions, two managerial grandees in Marcelo Bielsa and Rafael Benitez warmly embraced at the final whistle and the old songs appeared to still be the best. By Leon Wobschall How times have changed since. Two of the most recognisable dug-out names in world football are viewing football matches from their respective living rooms these days as Jesse Marsch and Frank Lampard strive to bring in a new order at the passion plays that are Leeds United and Everton. Lampard, hardly beloved in these parts, has not had too much to go his way since heading to Merseyside. In the first half here, plenty did – as he paced up and down his technical area and was never far away from the side of fourth official Andre Marriner as he tried to manage the game from the touchline and succeeded in the main. For Leeds and Marsch, there was undeniable angst. The interval was well-timed after an annoying first ...

Luis Sinisterra scored his first Premier League goal for Leeds as they came from a goal behind to draw with Everton in a pulsating encounter at Elland Road. The Colombian winger, who hit his first goal for the club in the EFL Cup last week following a summer move from Feyenoord, drove in from 18 yards after the break as Leeds piled pressure on Everton. They were much improved after a poor first half when Anthony Gordon scored for a second successive game, keeping his cool to slip the ball through Illan Meslier's legs following Alex Iwobi's through ball. Leeds' top scorer Rodrigo also went off with what Jesse Marsch confirmed afterwards was a dislocated shoulder following an innocuous challenge with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. But inspired by the impressive Jack Harrison and substitute Joe Gelhardt, Leeds tore into their opponents only to find Pickford in top form, denying both players and Brenden Aaronson. As the game opened up, Everton had late chances to...

Louise Taylor at Elland Road Not for the first time Anthony Gordon demonstrated precisely why Frank Lampard is so desperate to keep him at Everton. Gordon’s goal was not quite sufficient to provide Lampard’s team with a first Premier League win of the season. But a winger much coveted by Chelsea played a key part in securing a hard-won point on an exhilaratingly exciting night when his teammates needed to be streetwise to contain a Leeds side much improved by Jesse Marsch this season. With Luis Sinisterra scoring an eye-catching equaliser and Jack Harrison’s second-half wing play never permitting Everton to relax, a ferocious yet fragile Leeds bristled with menace yet retained a decided vulnerability to counterattacks. “I thought it was less entertaining than it could have been because Everton played to slow the game down,” said Marsch who did not entirely dismiss suggestions that Dan James could join Tottenham by Thursday night. “But in general I think it was a step forward fo...

Leeds 1-1 Everton: Anthony Gordon scored his second in as many games but Frank Lampard’s side again failed to hold on for victory Richard Jolly If taking over from Marcelo Bielsa seemed the most thankless task at Elland Road, replacing Raphinha was not far behind. The Brazilian may have been the most gifted footballer to play for Leeds since the generation who reached the 2001 Champions League semi-finals. Luis Sinisterra was charged with succeeding Barcelona’s £50m buy and his first Premier League goal extended Leeds’ fine start to the season. Even as his team missed the opportunity to break into the top four, Bielsa’s successor Jesse Marsch offered more evidence his overhaul will bear fruit. The chance to become the first Leeds side since Don Revie’s eventual champions of 1973-74 to win their first three top-flight home games of a campaign was eschewed but the Colombian’s strike brought echoes of Raphinha. Sinisterra looked the right man for the job. And yet this was a tale o...

Luis Sinisterra's classy strike on his full Leeds United league debut earned Jesse Marsch's Whites a point as Tuesday night's clash against Premier League visitors Everton ended in a 1-1 draw. By Lee Sobot Everton took the lead through their first attack in the 17th minute as Anthony Gordon coolly slotted the ball past Illan Meslier after Diego Llorente made a mess of trying to clear an Alex Iwobi through ball. Leeds then lost striker Rodrigo to a shoulder injury but Jesse Marsch's side drew level ten minutes after the break through a fine low drive from 20 yards out from summer signing Sinisterra on his full Whites league debut. United made an energetic start but without fashioning a chance in the first 15 minutes, the early highlight being a sublime piece of control and turn from Sinisterra. But an unfortunate touch from Sinisterra fashioned an opening for Everton from which Frank Lampard's side took a 17th minute lead. Sinisterra's interception as...

LEEDS UNITED managing director Angus Kinnear has cast doubt on the club making a beat-the-deadline move for a new striker - and says it would take something 'exceptional' for that to change before Thursday's 11pm deadline. By Leon Wobschall Leeds were very active in pre-season, bringing in seven players and spending a combined total of over £90million, while also sanctioning the sales of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. The club have made a move to bring in Belgian forward Charles de Ketelaere and were ready to pay a club-record fee, but the player secured his desired move to AC Milan instead. United have been linked with a host of other strikers, but Kinnear, writing in his programme notes before Tuesday night's Premier League home game with Everton, admits that any big business appears unlikely. Kinnear said: "This week, we will see the transfer window close and allow us to reflect on how well we have executed our trading strategy. "Already, we know...

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch has defended his actions on the touchline which saw him receive a yellow card against Brighton last weekend By Joe Donnohue Leeds United fell to their first defeat of the season last weekend as a solitary Pascal Gross strike secured a 1-0 win for Brighton and Hove Albion. The Whites’ afternoon on the south coast was punctuated by a refereeing display which rankled with head coach Jesse Marsch, who could be seen expressing his frustration in the technical area. Throughout the first half, Leeds were repeatedly penalised for minor infractions, much to the annoyance of American Marsch. The fourth official made several attempts to calm the Leeds head coach, warning the 48-year-old that he may be cautioned if his touchline antics carried on. During the second half, referee Michael Salisbury showed a yellow card to Marsch after the Leeds boss aggressively threw the ball to the floor following a foul on Brenden Aaronson. Marsch applauded the o...

Leeds United’s Under-21 side defeated Nottingham Forest’s development squad 5-1 on Monday afternoon By Joe Donnohue Goals from Charlie Allen, Darko Gyabi, Sonny Perkins, Alfie McCalmont and Max Dean capped a five-star display from Michael Skubala’s young Leeds side on Monday as the Whites continued their unbeaten run in Premier League 2 this season. Despite going behind during the first half, Leeds battled well to break down Nottingham Forest’s deep defensive line and went in level at the break following a deserved Charlie Allen strike. Leeds returned for the second forty-five with the bit between their teeth, determined not to be thwarted as they had been in the first half. Spurred on by Skubala and his coaching staff who encouraged and applauded the high press, Leeds forced opportunities, leaving Forest players to bemoan a porous 25 minutes. Gyabi’s 30-yard effort at goal squirmed in under goalkeeper Ryan Hammond to give Leeds the advantage, and the Whites could smell blo...

Jesse Marsch has suggested Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford could make a return to the matchday squad against Everton with his latest comments By Joe Donnohue by Ashley Allen/Getty Images) Jesse Marsch believes Patrick Bamford is ‘really close’ to a return after picking up a groin problem during the Whites’ second fixture of the season away to Southampton. Bamford has missed the home wins over Chelsea and Barnsley, as well as last weekend’s defeat at the American Express Community Stadium against Brighton and Hove Albion. Speaking following his side’s first defeat of the season, Marsch had good news on the fitness of England international Bamford. “Patrick Bamford will be really close for that match [Everton at Elland Road], so we should have options,” Marsch said, however there were fewer positives regarding Liam Cooper who missed out once more at Brighton after playing in midweek. “He picked up a little something in his calf and so we just again decided to be a litt...

The current Leeds United squad are doing something that Whites legend Billy Bremner would love. By Flora Snelson ‘Side before self - every time’ went the mantra of the Scottish midfielder, whose words still adorn the walls at Elland Road and United’s training ground, Thorp Arch. And it seems the words are ringing in the ears of Jesse Marsch’s current cohort too, as summer signing Tyler Adams claims the camaraderie between his new team-mates is something quite unique. The American midfielder has blown United fans away since arriving at the club for a fee in the region of £20m from RB Leipzig in July. Though having worked with Marsch previously has helped him settle in, Adams is full of praise for the attitude of his peers in the changing room. “It's completely different than the clubs that I've been at,” Adams told the Leeds United podcast. "There's no egos in our team and that's very rare – to not have any jealousy or envy of the guys that are playing...

Even as Leeds United celebrated their win over Chelsea, Jesse Marsch sounded a warning that a 'smack in the face' could await them at Brighton. By Graham Smyth The 1-0 defeat that transpired on the south coast was no knockout blow or a lopsided beating, although had Brighton taken their chances it might have been, it was simply a clip round the ear and a reminder that some Premier League teams are very good. Brighton certainly are. The Seagulls, like Marsch's Leeds, were soaring with seven points from nine. Both teams had confidence, form and a victory over a 'big six' side to boot. Marsch and his opposite number Graham Potter spent much of the previous week scheming to impose their will and tactics on the other. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth, though. Potter has previous with Leeds, a track record of coming up with a means of overcoming their style of play and a knack for making changes to confound whatever the Whites bring to t...

Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca spoke to the media following Saturday’s defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Whites suffered a first loss of the campaign at the American Express Community Stadium, after an unbeaten run of four matches. Roca gave his thoughts on the game and says the side will be doing everything to bounce back against Everton in midweek. “It was not our best performance,” said Roca. “The first half was hard for us, in the second half we started better, but they scored and we couldn’t which was disappointing for us. “At half time we changed some things and made a few adjustments and the second half was better for us. “They played well though, we have a lot of things to improve and we now have another opportunity on Tuesday and we will keep on going. “The Brighton game is finished, we have to be ready for Tuesday as we know it will be another hard game, but we want to win especially when we play at home.”

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter offered his opinion on a range of topics following his side’s 1-0 win over Leeds United at the Amex Stadium on Saturday By Joe Donnohue Leeds United were beaten by Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon, putting an end to a six-match unbeaten run across all competitions. Graham Potter’s side managed to nullify Leeds’ attackers, including Rodrigo who prior to kick-off was the Premier League’s top goalscorer. A well-taken Pascal Gross strike made all the difference on the south coast as Jesse Marsch took particular issue with the officiating of Michael Salisbury – who was in charge of just his second Premier League fixture. The American was cautioned for his touchline antics during the second half, but the head coach had been bubbling away throughout the game, watching as three of his players were shown yellow cards during the opening 45 minutes. Frustrated, Marsch hurled the ball into the turf at a break...

Brighton set a new club record of nine consecutive top-flight matches without defeat following Pascal Gross' strike Arindam Rej Brighton vs Leeds pitted two of the Premier League’s most promising coaches against each other, and Telegraph Sport runs the rule over Graham Potter and Jesse Marsch to see how they performed in four key aspects. The contrast between the two here was marked. Brighton head coach Potter, dressed all in black, was a generally understated presence, often giving off a cool and composed vibe. Lively Leeds head coach Marsch, in his loose white shirt, jeans and trainers, showed more emotion - often understandably negative - on the sideline, notably when he was booked for raging at the refereeing. At this venue, the Yorkshire club have now failed to score on seven visits in a row. While Potter looked at home, Marsch - like many from visiting Leeds camps over the years - suffered near the seaside. After defeating Chelsea so breathtakingly the previous we...

Leeds United have sent winger Ian Poveda on loan to Championship side Blackpool for the season. By Graham Smyth The Whites have inserted a January recall clause in the deal, which takes Poveda away from Thorp Arch for the second time in two seasons. He spent last season on loan with Blackburn Rovers before a serious ankle injury required him to undergo surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period. Poveda, like Helder Costa, was involved in some of Jesse Marsch’s pre-season preparations but did not travel on the tour of Australia and Leeds have been open all summer to the idea of a loan. The 22-year-old has played 20 times for Leeds since moving to Elland Road from Manchester City. His contract with the Whites runs until 2024. “I’m really happy to join a great club,” he said. "The manager and the directors have put confidence in me and I want to give back to the fans with good performances and displays on the pitch. It’s a really important stage in my career and I’m ...

Intelligence is important to Jesse Marsch but with every year that passes it seems more important in football as a whole. By Stuart Rayner There is a difference between footballing intelligence and book intelligence but Marsch has both, having learnt his sport in America’s college sports system which makes academia part of the package for young sportsmen and women, whereas too often here in the past young footballers have been made to choose between one or the other. Marsch has been encouraging Archie Gray to study for A-levels after some good GCSE results this week, while his own education in Yorkshire life continues apace – even taking in cricket. As long as managers like Brighton and Hove Albion’s Graham Potter are on the rise, players increasingly need a bit more between the ears. Like an increasing number of coaches, former York City left-back Potter has an academic degree – in his case in sports sciences. Two Yorkshire universities – Hull and Leeds Metropolitan – set hi...

Jesse Marsch is delighted for Spanish forward Rodrigo after his goalscoring start to the Premier League season with Leeds United By Joe Donnohue Jesse Marsch’s insistence that Rodrigo Moreno can yet become one of the world’s best at 31 years of age may come as a surprise to some, but the head coach is adamant. Marsch believes the Spaniard is the full package, after the World Cup hopeful scored four goals in the opening three matches of this year’s Premier League season. The American also says he wishes he had met Rodrigo when the Brazil-born forward was 18 as he thinks there is room for improvement in his game, despite his advancing years. A long-running theme of this summer’s transfer window has been Leeds United’s inability to snare a marquee centre-forward to supplement the team’s current striking options. With Patrick Bamford’s fitness remaining a concern, Joe Gelhardt suffering occasional niggles of his own and Rodrigo’s form in front of goal over the past two seasons,...

Austrian coach René Marić arrived at Leeds United earlier this summer as Jesse Marsch’s new assistant head coach By Joe Donnohue René Marić sat down with the press following Leeds’ 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley on Wednesday night. Standing in for Jesse Marsch, who would take the following day’s pre-match press conference ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend, the 29-year-old coach answered questions on a variety of topics. Ranging from his personal coaching experiences, to the players at United and how he sees his specific role at Elland Road, the ex-Borussia Dortmund assistant came across well. “It's very interesting to work with him [Marsch] because he's on top of all these things. I have to admit that I really like it here, I feel I’ve settled in quite well, not just [with] Jesse, but the whole staff,” Marić said. "I'm obviously relatively fresh, so it's more [to do with] serving, looking at how things are done and just sharing my though...

Jesse Marsch says sometimes he should wear a lab coat rather than a tracksuit so scientifically is he monitoring his Leeds United players, who have been given individual “action plans” to improve every aspect of their games. By Stuart Rayner Cameron Toshack has been made an “individual coach”, working with them on a one-to-one basis as part of head coach Marsch’s holistic approach. “I sometimes say I feel like I’m wearing a lab coat because I’m evaluating their nutrition, their weights, their loading, their gym work, their sleep, their wellness app, and working carefully with (head of medicine and performance) Rob Price and the entire medical team to make sure as physical specimens we’re maximising the potential of who they are and what they can be become,” said Marsch. “Then we add the tactics, the football, the mentality and the work ethic and to create high-performing machines in a way that’s respectful of their lives and who they are as people. Then you access brilliance.” ...