Jesse Marsch’s tactics, work in the transfer market and delayed sacking were ultimately the main reasons to blame for Leeds United’s relegation at the end of the 2022-23 season.
The American gaffer replaced Marcelo Bielsa in February 2022, a move that earned mass criticism from Leeds fans even with Bielsa’s side shipping goals at the time. Marsch helped keep Leeds up, initially.
Whether that was because of Marsch or simply due to the brilliance of Raphinha on the final day remains to be seen. But the win at Brentford saw Marsch remain at Leeds for the 22-23 Premier League season.
However, Leeds made some dismal decisions in the transfer window that summer and then in January, under Marsch. The Whites cashed in on Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, and spent big on replacing them.
Jesse Marsch ‘delighted’ Leeds United are in the Premier League
Instead of replacing them directly, Leeds chose to spend the £100m brought in from the sales of Phillips and Raphinha on numerous areas of the squad. The likes of Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen.
Marsch targeted players he knew well, like Aaronson, Kristensen, Tyler Adams and Max Wober but that lack of Premier League experience saw Leeds fail. Marc Roca was a particularly poor signing at Leeds.
By the time March was sacked in February 2023, Leeds were already staring relegation in the face. Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce could do little to save The Whites and it has been Championship football since.
Finance expert Kieran Maguire has spent the last few days with Marsch in Germany, at a conference. The now-Canada manager is said to be “delighted” that Leeds are back at the top, according to Maguire.
He said: “Great to be on the same stage with Jesse Marsch today in Cologne talking technical (him) and financial (me) tactics. Good, good guy, super smart and looking forward to the World Cup next year. Delighted Leeds have been promoted too.”
Can Daniel Farke do what Jesse Marsch couldn’t in 2022-23?
Paraag Marathe has chosen to hang his hat on Daniel Farke after the German delivered promotion and the Championship title during 2024-25. The second time of asking for Leeds and Farke, this season.
But his record in the Premier League is woeful. Six wins in 49 with Norwich is the opposite of encouraging though context should be given to his one-and-a-bit seasons in the top tier with no money to spend.
Phil Hay says The 49ers and RedBull give Leeds a chance to splash the cash, with a transfer kitty of more than £100m promised to Farke. This time, there are no excuses for Farke when it comes to the top tier.
