Leeds United news: Marcelo Bielsa has just handed Jesse Marsch ‘big advantage’ after reveal in last 24 hours – Mills
Marcelo Bielsa’s high fitness demands have given Jesse Marsch a “big advantage” in his first week as Leeds United manager, according to Danny Mills.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Whites and England full-back claimed Marsch can focus on tactics and style of play in training sessions ahead of their clash with Leicester City tomorrow (5 March)
As quoted by Leeds Live yesterday (3 March), the American revealed his first major change will be a move away from Bielsa’s man-marking style.
Leeds conceded 20 goals in the final five games of the Argentine’s iconic Elland Road reign.
“I have been impressed by Marsch,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s clearly a very intelligent man. He clearly understands football, the coaching and the playing side.
“Where he’s been very good is the way he’s addressed the media and the fans, he’s made it clear he understands the question marks. He’s talked about soccer and Ted Lasso and he’s been very respectful of Marcelo Bielsa.
“He’s handled himself very, very well in a difficult situation where the fans are going to take a little bit of time to get used to him. How he’s acted and what he’s said has been very, very good.
“He has to move away from the man-marking because it’s clearly not been working.
“I still think he will want to play with a high-press and energy from the team. He might even go with a double-pivot to protect that back-four and sure things up in the middle of the park.
“The one big advantage he has got, most managers come into a club that’s down the bottom and the first thing they say is ‘I need to get this team fit’, that’s the last thing he needs to do at the moment. We all know how fit they are.
“He doesn’t have to think about that, he doesn’t have to worry about the fitness levels. He can concentrate on the tactics and the way they are going to play. That’s a real plus for a new coach.”
In other news, a medical guru has revealed a new Liam Cooper comeback date after a ‘red herring’ at Leeds United.