Leeds United have shown manager Jesse Marsch the exit two days before heading to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
The Whites took the decision to sack the 49-year-old American – who was appointed as Leeds boss on February 28, 2022, following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa – following yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at The City Ground, the club confirmed. Marsch had been in charge at Elland Road for less than a year having led the squad for 37 games, finishing with a record of 11 wins, ten draws and 16 losses.
Marsch departs leaving Leeds 17th place in the Premier League table, on level points with Everton in 18th and just three points above bottom-placed Southampton.
The Whites haven’t won any of their last seven Premier League games with the West Yorkshire side’s last win in the top-flight coming against Bournemouth in November and will face rivals Manchester United at the Theater of Dreams on Wednesday night before a reverse game against the same side at Elland Road on Sunday.
The former Red Bull Leipzig manager will miss out on a reunion with Red Devils midfielder Marcel Sabitzer now that he’s no longer at the helm at Elland Road. United’s deadline day loan signing from Bayern Munich played twice under Marsch for Leipzig before joining Bayern in August 2021.
In the interim, Chris Armas, who was Ralf Rangnick’s assistant at Manchester United last season, will most likely be placed in caretaker charge of Leeds United to take on the twenty-time league champions, if the the club’s statement regarding Marsch’s sacking is anything to go by.
Armas was only appointed Leeds’s assistant manager at the end of last month, and there has been no mention of him following Marsch out of the club.
Leeds United’s statement: “Leeds United can confirm head coach Jesse Marsch has been relieved of his duties.
“Jesse joined the club in February 2022 and was instrumental in keeping the club in the Premier League on the final day of last season.
“Rene Maric, Cameron Toshack and Pierre Barrieu will also leave the club.
“We would like to thank Jesse and his backroom staff for their efforts and wish them well for the future.
“The process of appointing a new head coach is underway and we will continue to keep supporters up to date throughout the coming days.”