Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has encouraged Leeds United to give Jesse Marsch the remainder of the season at least.
The American head coach was appointed by Leeds at the end of February following a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur which cost Marcelo Bielsa his job with a fifth loss in six games leaving the Whites just two points above the relegation zone.
Marsch managed to help steer the club to safety on the final day of last season but he had come under pressure after a winless spell of his own.
However, a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield could well have bought the 48-year-old some much-needed time.
When asked by Football Insider whether the coach should be sacked following the side’s recent form the Sky Sports pundit Campbell said:
“No, I don’t.
“I think Jesse Marsch is doing a good job, especially when you consider where the club was when he arrived.
“Previously it was [Marcelo] Bielsa’s way or the highway. Marsch has had to change a lot of things and put his own spin on things.
“He kept them up last season. Fans should not forget that.
“There has been some poor results but the performances on the whole have been good.
“They have also beaten Chelsea and Liverpool this season. That is two massive scalps. They have got it in them. They can compete with the best.
“At the very least, Marsch should get to the end of the season.”
TIF Thoughts on Campbell’s comments…
Do you still want Marsch sacked?
Yes
No
Recent reports had suggested that Leeds were considering the former RB Salzburg manager’s position but like Campbell we believe he deserves to at least be in a job come the second half of the season.
Despite five defeats in their previous six games before the victory in Merseyside three of those losses had been by a single goal.
Things could perhaps have been very different if they had taken some of the 18 big chances, the tenth most in the league, that they have created this season.
The only side below them in the table to have beaten the west Yorkshire side are Leicester and you could argue that that position isn’t reflective of where the Foxes are actually at.
That would suggest that the club don’t have overly much to be worrying about but Marsch will be expected to build on last week’s win with three points against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Although, on the flip side of this, with Wolves and Southampton potentially hiring new managers, Leeds won’t want to get left behind.