Four options to replace Jesse Marsch at Leeds with Elland Road chiefs 'considering sack' - Express 17/1/23
Jesse Marsch is under increasing pressure at Leeds as the Whites battle to keep their heads above water in the Premier League.
By RYAN TAYLOR
Leeds are reportedly considering a change of manager with
Jesse Marsch under increasing pressure at Elland Road. The American coach
appeared to be on the brink prior to the World Cup but steadied the ship via a
famous win at Anfield. Now Leeds are back on the slide and plummeting
dangerously towards the drop zone. With that in mind, Express Sport assesses
four potential replacements that could fall under consideration at Elland Road.
Ange Postecoglou
This would be an appointment that surely fans could get
behind following the exciting work carried out by Postecoglou north of the
border with Celtic.
After a turbulent period in Glasgow, the no-nonsense
tactician has brought the feel-good factor back to Celtic Park and the Hoops
have now re-established their superiority.
His brand of football is also attractive an there is a lot
to like about the identity he has implemented on the team.
Celtic are now scoring goals for fun again and doing it in
style - something that is surely of huge attraction to Leeds.
It seems only a matter of time before Postecoglou gets the
chance to manage in England as he continues to catch the eye in Scotland.
Marcelo Bielsa
Stranger things have happened. It may seem unlikely but
Bielsa is idolised at Leeds and the team has changed since his departure, when
his position became untenable.
There are loads of new faces within the squad and Bielsa
could now work some of his magic to drive Leeds up the table.
Last season when he was sacked, the team was stagnant and he
became short of ideas. Any manager would have failed in those circumstances and
Leeds were a sinking ship.
After plenty of new summer signings, Bielsa would have
plenty of new players to work with in order to devise a winning formula.
The appointment would also reconnect a disgruntled fanbase
with their team ahead of a big second half of the season.
Sean Dyche
This may not be the most popular appointment but Sean Dyche
knows how to organise a team and demand maximum effort.
That is what is required now in order to ensure Leeds remain
outside of the relegation zone.
There is a perception that Dyche is a boring, negative
manager but what he achieved with Burnley was nothing short of exceptional.
Under his tutelage he took the Clarets to the Europa League
from the Championship on the smallest budget in the Premier League.
Any of the current struggling Premier League sides including
West Ham and Everton could do far worse than appointing the Englishman, who
knows what it takes to survive despite Burnley's struggles last season.
Rafael Benitez
Again, an appointment unlikely to prove popular but Benitez
has the know-how to keep Leeds afloat - even if it was on an interim basis.
Although Marsch kept Leeds up last season, he doesn't have
too much experience in the Premier League, whereas Benitez does despite the
hatred he received from Evertonians.
Frank Lampard's current struggles are evidence that Benitez
did not do as badly as perceived at Everton prior to his dismissal.
He was set up to fail at Everton and Leeds could give him a
chance to wipe the slate clean. The only negative is his tactical, defensive-minded
football does not fit the criteria Leeds fans desire.
They want to see their team attacking in numbers, playing
with intensity and pushing opponents all the way - just like under Bielsa.
Benitez's style is a much more pragmatic approach that is
centered around clean sheets and winning games comfortably, as opposed to
outscoring the opposition.
Still, he is an option well worth considering.
