Leeds United: Jesse Marsh replaces Marcelo Bielsa as head coach

Leeds United have appointed former RB Leipzig chairman Jesse Marsh as their new head coach.

Marsh, who also coached New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, left the German club in December last year after a five-month spell.

The American will replace Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, who was sacked on Sunday, Once the work permit is completed.

Leeds is 16th in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone, after a series of heavy defeats.

“It’s something I’m really excited about,” Marsh said. “I know what a great club Leeds is, I know previous players who have played here and I’ve watched this club from afar for many years and I’m really proud and excited to be here.”

He added, “How? [Bielsa] He helped turn Leeds United into a Premier League side which is absolutely amazing.

“For me, I just want to help take the torch to the next stage. Everything that has been accomplished has laid an incredible foundation, and at this moment I wanted to do everything I could to take the club to the next stage in our history.”

Victor Orta, Leeds United Director of Football, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jesse to the club and are excited that he will lead us into this new chapter.

“Jesse is someone we identified several years ago during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and we believe his philosophy and style of football are in line with the philosophy of the club and would suit the players very well.

“We have a long-term plan in place and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and we are excited about what the future holds.”

After leaving the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer in 2018, Marsh first joined RB Leipzig as assistant Ralph Rangnick before being appointed to Salzburg FC in June 2019.

He enjoyed a successful period at Salzburg as he won the league and cup double in his first season.

He was also part of the development of striker Erling Braut Haaland before the Norwegian striker joined Borussia Dortmund in 2019.

He then returned to Leipzig in April last year, this time as head coach when he took over from Julian Nagelsmann who left to manage Bayern Munich.

Marsh, who was Related to the administrative vacancy in Celtic In the past, he has completed a Uefa Pro license in Scotland.

Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear added: “We are really pleased to secure the services of our first-choice coach so quickly.

“While Jesse’s short-term goal is clear, we believe he has the courage and ambition to build on the strong foundations we have built over the past four years and raise the club’s long-term performance.

“He’s had a huge amount of success with the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg and has shown in our many meetings that he fits in perfectly with the football culture at Leeds United.”