Leeds employee issues ‘massive’ claim after first Marsch interview
Jesse Marsch’s immediate “priority” must be to fix the “massive” defensive issues at Leeds United, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, also suggested the 48-year-old must build on the “blueprint” left behind by Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa departed as Leeds United boss on Sunday (27 February) after 170 matches in charge.
The Elland Road club moved quickly to secure his replacement, confirming the arrival of former RB Leipzig coach Marsch yesterday (28 February).
The American is a graduate of the Red Bull network, which has spawned the high-pressing philosophies of Premier League managers Ralph Hasenhuttl and Ralf Rangnick.
When asked about Marsch’s first interview and if Leeds’ squad will be suited to the energetic system he is likely to oversee, Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “Absolutely.
“One thing we need to remember is the system and philosophy that Bielsa brought to the club. Nothing needs to be shattered here.
“What we need to do is keep the identity he gave us and work from that blueprint.
“But a big priority has to be that defensive solidity. We’ve got to make ourselves harder to beat – and that’s something I think a lot of people will have wanted to see had Bielsa stayed.
“We need a bit more of a structure – the man-to-man system didn’t work against certain teams as the calibre of player is a lot higher in the Premier League.
“I don’t want to see the style left behind by Bielsa disappear – I want to watch that kind of football week-in, week-out.
“However, defensively, Marsch has got a massive amount of work in the short-term to stop the goals from flooding in.”
In other news, pundit predicts Patrick Bamford to solve Leeds United “problem” amid Phil Hay update.