Former Scotland striker Frank McAevnnie has made a claim involving Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch's future beyond the end of the current campaign. 

The lowdown: A tough act to follow

Appointed in February following the departure of Elland Road favourite Marcelo Bielsa, the American was always swimming against the tide somewhat in Yorkshire.

The 48-year-old has taken charge of 11 matches since arriving at the club, picking up three wins and an average points per game ratio of 1.09, better than his predecessor's 0.88 during the 2021/22 season.

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Despite the slight upturn in fortunes since his arrival, Marsch is still under extreme pressure as Leeds stare down the barrel of relegation, with just one point separating the Whites and 18th-placed Burnley.

The latest: Writing on the wall?

Speaking to Football Insider, former West Ham United and Celtic striker McAvennie claimed that Marsch won't be at the club next term.

The 62-year-old said: “It’s not looking good, is it? Burnley and Everton look like they have turned a corner and Leeds are getting worse.

“They are pretty much going down in my opinion. The manager has done absolutely nothing. The whole thing about him coming in was that he was meant to stop Leeds conceding loads of goals, that hasn’t happened.

“I don’t think it’s worked out for him and it seems like the fans have turned on him. I don’t expect he will be there next season either way, it hasn’t worked.”

The verdict: Stay of execution needed

Having been handed a late lifeline by Pascal Struijk's last-gasp equaliser against Brighton over the weekend, the Whites' survival hopes have been lifted heading into the final week of a testing campaign.

However, regardless of whether or not Leeds preserve their top-flight status, Marsch will surely be granted the opportunity to oversee a rebuild in the summer.

Both Bielsa and the former RB Leipzig boss have had to cope with squads decimated by injuries to key players and more recently suspensions, making the job almost impossible with such a small pool of Premier League-ready players available.

Whilst it would be a bitter pill to swallow should Leeds make an untimely return to the Championship, Marsch wouldn't wholly be to blame and therefore would be deserving of the chance to bring the Whites straight back, and he certainly must stay in situ should the drop be avoided.

In other news: Leeds want this powerful 12-goal striker who is ‘ideal’ for the Championship