Phil Hay believes that Jesse Marsch could be at Leeds United for the long haul if his tactics thus far are anything to go by.
It has been a superb start to the season for Marsch, and it perhaps peaked on Sunday afternoon when they recorded an emphatic 3-0 victory over Chelsea – something Hay described as potentially the moment fans fully accepted Marsch as their new manager.
Last season was a difficult one as the American boss took over from a unique manager in the form of Marcelo Bielsa, but he did fulfil his aim of keeping Leeds in the Premier League, albeit by the skin of their teeth.
Speaking on The Phil Hay Show the day after the game, Hay believes that if this kind of form and style of play remains, Marsch could well be a long-term fixture at Elland Road.
He said: “I do feel as if it’s been pretty positive right the way through the summer. I do feel as if people have been ready for a fresh start and have been ready to move on from the infighting that broke out towards the end of last season.
Are you happy to have Marsch as Leeds boss?
Yes!
No!
“But that to me yesterday [v Chelsea] I think was like a line in the sand. I think Marsch will be feeling better, I think the players will be feeling better, I think the crowd are seeing potential in this now, and in more ways than one – and I said this in my report this morning – you left Elland Road yesterday thinking that this tenure really does have legs.”
TIF Thoughts on Marsch’s time at Leeds…
It’s safe to say that if things don’t work out well at Elland Road this season then the blame will likely fall at the feet of Marsch, as he’s been sufficiently backed with seven new players – and six of them are likely to be pushing for a starting spot every single week.
Therefore, the likes of Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta will have been delighted to witness Leeds’ fortunes turn around in a few months from the end of last season to right now, which has them sitting inside the top four – albeit at this very early stage – and boasting the services of the top-scoring player in the league.
How long the American can keep this going for remains to be seen, but there can be few complaints from the Whites’ start to the season considering they could easily have been playing Championship football this term.