---
title: "Leeds: Jesse Marsch the front-runner to replace Marcelo Bielsa"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-jesse-marsch-the-front-runner-to-replace-marcelo-bielsa/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2022-02-18T12:10:45Z"
modified: "2022-02-18T12:10:45Z"
---

# Leeds: Jesse Marsch the front-runner to replace Marcelo Bielsa

**Jesse Marsch is Leeds United’s preferred choice to replace Marcelo Bielsa if he leaves this summer, according to a report which emerged on Thursday lunchtime.**

### The Lowdown: Bielsa’s contract running out

Bielsa has become a modern-day legend at Elland Road, bringing a great period of success that has seen the Whites return to the Premier League in style.

The 66-year-old only signed a one-year extension last summer, however, meaning his current deal will [expire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/marcelo-bielsa/profil/trainer/2553) at the end of the season, and there have been no concrete reports of a renewal yet.

This suggests this summer could possibly be the one he finally hangs up his bucket at Leeds, with [reports](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-marcelo-bielsa-reportedly-speaks-with-fenerbahce/) this week even claiming he has already held meetings with clubs in Europe.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″\]

### The Latest: Leeds eye up Marsh capture

According to [*The Telegraph*](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/02/17/exclusive-jesse-marsch-leeds-uniteds-first-choice-candidate/?utm_content=football&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1645106831)*‘s* Chief Football Writer, Sam Wallace, Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta have made Marsch the ‘first choice’ candidate to replace Bielsa, with the 48-year-old currently without a club.

Marsch was previously in charge of RB Leipzig but [parted ways](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59539271) back in December, while he impressed hugely during his time at RB Salzburg boss, winning [two Austrian titles and cups apiece](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jesse-marsch/erfolge/trainer/17275).

Interestingly, during his last six months in Austria, he managed [heavily linked](https://theathletic.com/news/leeds-to-raise-offer-for-salzburg-forward-aaronson-to-20-million/K6hmO4ltnkGO/) Leeds target Brenden Aaronson.

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-34/)

### The Verdict: Ideal Bielsa repalcement

In an ideal world, Bielsa staying put would still arguably be the best-case scenario, with the Argentine struggling this season but badly hampered by [injuries](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/sperrenundverletzungen/verein/399) to key players.

That being said, Marsch could bring a freshness to the squad if the current manager feels it is time to move on, with Jurgen Klopp once [saying](https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/jesse-marsch-salzburg-out-champions-league-liverpools-jurgen-klopp-has-high-prai) he has ‘massive respect’ for the 48 year-old American – perhaps not a surprise given their mutual love of [*gegenpressing*](https://themastermindsite.com/2021/02/14/how-to-press-like-jessie-marschs-salzburg/).

Marsch’s style of play could also make it a seamless transition – the former Leipzig man [says](https://www.forbes.com/sites/manuelveth/2021/05/01/jesse-marsch-to-rb-leipzig-a-coronation-with-obstacles/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%20like%20to%20play%20fast,as%20dangerous%20as%20we%20can.%E2%80%9D) he likes to play ‘fast’ and not ‘give the opponent time and space’, which feels very Bielsa-esque.

***In other news, one returning Leeds player could feature against Manchester United. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-junior-firpo-could-feature-against-manchester-united/).***