Leeds United replacing Marcelo Bielsa with Jesse Marsch at this stage of the season is a 'gamble', according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.
The Lowdown: Big news at Elland Road
The American has become the latest person to sit in the Elland Road hot-seat, having replaced Marcelo Bielsa as manager on Monday evening.
It is a significant moment in Leeds' recent history, with Bielsa a much-loved figure at the club and many left devastated by his controversial, if arguably understandable, sacking.
Marsch now has 12 Premier League games to steer the Whites away from relegation, if he is to avoid the grim task of masterminding a return straight back to the top flight next season.
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The Latest: Hay discusses potential 'gamble'
Writing in a Q&A for The Athletic following the big news, Hay admitted it is a risk to make such a change at a key point in the campaign:
"The first thing to say is that nobody at Leeds would deny that this is a gamble - not the appointment of Jesse Marsch specifically but the change of head coach with 12 games to go. Andrea Radrizzani’s interview on Twitter this evening left no doubt that the board had lost faith in Marcelo Bielsa, something Bielsa’s sacking made very clear anyway."
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The Verdict: Time will tell
Opinion will always likely be split regarding Bielsa's dismissal, with some feeling it was too hasty and others claiming Leeds' run of form was simply too bad to continue with the Argentine's services.
Marsch has the unenviable job of having to hit the ground running, with the Whites now only two points clear of 18th-placed Burnley having played two games more.
For now, it is a case of Leeds' new manager inspiring his side to safety without a huge amount of time to implement his methods fully, before having the summer to fully make his mark, hopefully ahead of another year in the Premier League.
In other news, Leeds have been backed to sign an exciting player this summer. Find out who it is here.