Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch has brought a much more approachable style of management to Thorp Arch in comparison to Marcelo Bielsa.
That is according to the reliable Leeds correspondent for The Athletic, Phil Hay, who was speaking on The Lead podcast to discuss Marsch’s start in Yorkshire.
Do you have faith in Marsch?
Yes
No
It was a difficult start to Marsch’s tenure with two defeats from his first two games, however, the Whites went into the international break on the back of two consecutive league wins.
The six points from their last two games have put the Whites in a much more encouraging position in the Premier League table with a seven-point gap to the relegation zone.
And Hay believes the American has brought a more friendly style of management in comparison to his predecessor which was needed by some of the Leeds players:
(13:40) “One of the big approaches behind the scenes has been communication for him. I mean, Bielsa was famously distant from the players. He never had close relationships with them.”
“But Marsch is far more outgoing and he’s far more touchy-feely. And I think that’s been clever to an extent. But I think it needed to be done.
“When you’re out of form as Leeds were that is when people do need a bit of a shoulder to lean on. And they do need a manager they can speak to and somebody who will listen to them and interact with them. I think that can definitely help.”
TIF Thoughts on Hay’s comments…
Bielsa worked wonders with Leeds to guide them back to the English top-flight, however, on the back of their horrific run of form, the board felt it was time for a change.
And change they have certainly got in Marsch who from the outside feels like a complete contrast in character to the Argentine manager.
As Hay suggests, maybe some of the players needed an arm around the shoulder from their manager amid their poor run of form which led to Bielsa’s sacking.
Rodrigo, in particular, seems to be benefitting from Marsch’s arrival with the American reportedly putting a lot of faith in the Spaniard.
In other news: ‘In loads of pain’ – Phil Hay reveals another Leeds injury scare on top of four replaced