Leeds United have appointed Jesse Marsch as their new manager after sacking Marcelo Bielsa on Sunday.
The American takes charge with the club just above the relegation places, with a 4-0 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur representing a fourth successive Premier League defeat and a fifth reverse in their last six games.
Marsch had been out of work since being sacked by RB Leipzig in December, with the Bundesliga side dropping out of the Champions League in the group stages and struggling to repeat last season's lofty league finish..
A former United States international midfielder, the 48-year-old has also managed in Major League Soccer with Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls, and the Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg.
He now takes his first job in English football with Leeds having signed a three-year deal.
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A Leeds United statement read: "Leeds United can today announce the appointment of Jesse Marsch as the club’s new head coach, pending international clearance.
"The 48-year-old has signed a deal at Elland Road running until June 2025 and his first game in charge will be Saturday’s Premier League trip at Leicester City."
Speaking about the appointment, Leeds United Director of Football Victor Orta said: “We are delighted to welcome Jesse to the club and excited for him to lead us into this new chapter.
“Jesse is someone we identified a number of years ago during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and we believe his philosophy and style of football aligns with that of the club and will suit the players very well.
“We have a long-term plan and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and are excited for what the future holds.”
Veteran Argentine coach Bielsa was axed with Leeds having conceded 14 goals in their last three Premier League matches.
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani said of the decision to part ways with Bielsa: “This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club.
“With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all.
"The moments created, particularly in the 2019/20 season and winning promotion to the Premier League, will of course live long in all our memories, myself and the fans included.
“However, I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status."
Marsch arrives in Yorkshire with title-winning pedigree and a recognition for developing young stars, from his time working with the Red Bull group
His first title came during his spell in MLS, when he led New York Red Bulls to the 2015 Supporters' Shield, and he also won back-to-back domestic doubles in Austria.
A number of the players he brought through in Salzburg have gone on to shine in top European leagues, including Erling Haaland, Takumi Minamino, Dominic Szoboszlai, Amadou Haidara and Patson Daka.
He was less successful in Leipzig however, overseeing the club's worst ever Bundesliga start at the start of the current campaign, before losing his job after only four months at the helm.
“The decision to part ways with Jesse wasn’t easy for us because I very much appreciate Jesse as a person and a coach,” RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said when the decision was made.
“It’s a shame that this setup hasn’t worked as hoped and that this step has become necessary.”
Now he will look to bounce back and restore his own reputation, while bidding to ensure Leeds' Premier League place for next season.
