Jesse Marsch has spoken of his "respect and admiration" for Marcelo Bielsa after taking over from the Argentine at Leeds United.
The American has joined on a deal until the end of the 2024-25 season, having been sacked by RB Leipzig in December, and will take charge of his first match this weekend as the Whites take on Leicester City.
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani had described the decision to dismiss Bielsa as "the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United," after the popular coach had helped Leeds back to the Premier League after more than a decade away.
The job is Marsch's first in the Premier League, and the 48-year-old has already spoken highly of the man he is replacing at Elland Road.
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"My respect and admiration for Marcelo Bielsa is massive," Marsch said after being confirmed as manager.
"I followed his career and watched what he has done from afar and certainly he is a hero here.
"How he has helped transform Leeds United into a Premier League team is pretty amazing.
"For me, I just want help to take the torch to the next phase, everything that has been done has laid and incredible foundation and coming in at this moment, I want to do everything I can to take the club into the next stage of our history."
“One of the things I love about this team right now is their commitment no matter how difficult the games have been, to play until the end, fight for each other, to never stop and to give everything to each other at every moment," Marsch told LUTV, explaining how he hopes to take the club forward.
“This mentality and mindset to play for the fans, fight for the fans and to fight for each other is what I love, as a manager that is what I identify, a team that has heart, passion and plays for each other with everything they have.
“My style of play, my aggressiveness and the desire I have for teams to be intensive and to run and make things difficult for the opponent fits with what has been done here for three-and-a-half years."
The 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham in Bielsa's last game in charge was Leeds' fourth loss in a row.
It left them 16th in the table on 23 points, but Everton and Burnley - the two teams directly below them - could send the Yorkshire side into the bottom three depending on the results of their games in hand.
"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," chairman Radrizzani said when announcing Bielsa's departure.
"Recent results and performances have not met our expectations.
“We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season."
