Former New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips believes Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch will face a tougher time with the media due to being American. Marsch became just the third American ever to manage in the Premier League when he was appointed at Leeds, following in the footsteps of Bob Bradley and David Wagner.
Wright-Phillips spent the best part of his career at New York Red Bulls under the management of Marsch, becoming the club’s record goal scorer. Marsch’s achievements in the MLS earned him the assistant manager role at RB Leipzig, before then becoming the main man at Salzburg.
Other than his six month spell at Leipzig earlier this season, Marsch has enjoyed success wherever he has been, but that has not stopped some of the ‘Ted Lasso’ comparisons from some sections of the media. The 48-year-old is moving quickly to defy those, though, overseeing a four-match unbeaten run where Leeds have picked up 10 points in four matches to move clear of the relegation zone.
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In an interview with MLSSoccer.com, Wright-Phillips claimed that Marsch will have to do that little bit more to prove himself due to the fact he is American, but is expecting him to pass that test with flying colours.
He said: “They are unfairly tough on Americans, they disrespect MLS a bit. It just takes time. They’re going to have their little jokes. But me knowing Jesse, I don’t think it bothers him very much. If they’re going to try to wind him, they’ve got to be prepared to take what comes back.”
