Chatting to a small gathering of Leeds United supporters outside of Elland Road, Angus Kinnear laid out the board’s feelings on the future of Jesse Marsch.
"Players are working hard, Jesse is working really hard, backroom staff are working really hard,” he the chief executive. “We still think he can do a great job for us but the results aren't what we've wanted.”
Kinnear was never going to fuel the fire underneath Marsch by publicly doubting him as he walked to his car outside the West Stand, but his message of support was in line with the American’s sentiment during his post-match press conference. ‘Unified’ is the word Marsch consistently used to describe his current relationship with the board, who he has met with recently, and, despite the eight game winless run, it seems he has every reason to believe that he has the support of the club’s decision makers.
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Marsch was carefully selected by director of football Victor Orta to build on the work of Marcelo Bielsa and see the Whites well and truly get their feet under the top table of English football. It’s fair to say Leeds haven’t met expectations so far this season, though, and as the World Cup break approaches, they are one of three clubs propping up the division on nine points.
The board will have seen and heard the anger shown from a portion of the crowd inside the stadium on Sunday, it wasn’t at all pretty. However, the CEO clearly outlined the board’s faith in the current head coach and it seems he the could be given the time he needs to turn the club’s fortunes around.
If that is to be the case, then, the onus is on Andrea Radrizzani and the rest of the board to provide Marsch with the tools he so desperately requires. Leeds had a busy summer transfer window, of that there is no doubt.
Nine signings were made as the club worked to not only replace the outgoing Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips, but also fill a number of pre-existing holes within the squad. As such, most would agree that Leeds entered the 2022-23 season in a stronger position than they finished the 2021-22.
Similarly, though, you’d be hard pushed to find a supporter who doesn’t believe Leeds need to strengthen once more in the January window. The Whites clearly need a forward having failed in their pursuits over the summer.
The likes of Charles De Ketelaere and Bamba Dieng were targets but neither arrived at Elland Road and that lack of attacking output seems to be costing Marsch’s side on the field at present. The club looked at the possibility of signing a new left-back, too, but opted against such a move and they have spent the majority of the season with centre-back Pascal Struijk in the role.
Finding the right targets, especially in the January window, can be a thankless task for a club with a limited budget. But, given the predicament United find themselves in at the foot of the Premier League ladder, they must act to ensure Leeds can push away from danger in the second half of the year.
Patience is a virtue in the Premier League and some club owners have more than others. However, with Marsch being supported, it’s clear the board needs to back him and provide all the help they can in the January transfer window.
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