Leeds United should look at former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino to replace Jesse Marsch, claims football data expert Michael Caley.
The Lowdown: Marsch out, Corberan in?
The Whites confirmed the sacking of Marsch on Monday afternoon, following a run of seven Premier League games without a win, picking up just three points during that time.
West Brom’s Carlos Corberan emerged as the front-runner for the job almost immediately, with the Baggies boss already a known entity at Elland Road having coached the Under-23s while Marcelo Bielsa was first-team boss.
Caley has suggested another student of Bielsa however, with Pochettino perhaps more easy to attain given he is currently without a club.
The Latest: Time for Pochettino
Caley, a football data expert and one half of the Double Pivot Podcast, took to Twitter after the news of Marsch’s exit.
He said: “Leeds is a really good talent fit for Pochettino and a pretty safe success bet for a comeback, if his heart is still in the game.”
The Verdict: Spot on
If Pochettino is still keen to return to the English top flight, as was suggested last year following his exit from PSG, then Leeds could be a match made in heaven.
The 50 year-old, who managed an incredible 2.15 points-per game in Paris and 1.84 per outing at Tottenham (Transfermarkt), utilises a 4-3-3 formation, which would allow Marc Roca, Tyler Adams and new signing Weston McKennie all to get into the starting XI, something which looked unlikely with Marsch’s favoured 4-2-3-1.
He may also endear himself to Leeds fans quickly given his relationship with Bielsa, calling the former Whites boss a “genius” and someone he admires greatly.
Pochettino has no shortage of admirers, with Pep Guardiola claiming he is right up there with the elite coaches in world football and even Bielsa himself calling him “brilliant“.
If Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers Group want a stylish, attack-minded manager with a long-term vision, they could do much worse than Pochettino.
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