Leeds United's next move could be make or break with…

Leeds United's next move could be make or break with Andrea Radrizzani's legacy on the line

The writing seemed to be on the wall at the City Ground as the full-time whistle brought an end to another disappointing Leeds United performance. Jesse Marsch made his way over to applaud the travelling support, but the reaction from the stands was not a pretty one as supporters made their feelings known.

It was a response that suggested faith had been completely lost in his ability to take the team forward and that certainly wasn’t a good look for the American as the club’s decision makers came to terms with the display and the result. The Whites' board have continued to back Marsch throughout the last few months, handing him the tools needed to do the job and bolstering his coaching ranks with familiar personnel.

But, with 18 Premier League games remaining, Sunday’s defeat was enough to convince them that a change needed to be made. The wheels were put in motion as day turned to night and by Monday afternoon, Marsch had been relieved of his duties.

It’s a move that had to made with Leeds continuing to slide towards the bottom three and Sunday provided little evidence that things would change over the coming weeks. As such, the hunt is on for a new man to take the mantle and there is a huge amount of pressure on the hierarchy to make the right appointment.

The fans were having their say within minutes of the announcement being made, with suggestions ranging from former Leeds Under-23s coach Carlos Corberan to Mauricio Pochettino and Marcelo Bielsa. Various options will be considered, no doubt, and time must be a factor, too, with Premier League games coming thick and fast, each one being more vital than the last.

However, the selection of Andrea Radrizzani, Angus Kinnear, Victor Orta and the 49ers Enterprises must be the right one as the Whites battle to stave off the threat of relegation. Only goal difference is keeping Leeds outside the bottom three at present and if traction cannot be found by Marsch’s replacement, there could be huge repercussions.

Relegation would not only be a hammer blow to the supporters, who had hoped they had seen the back of the Championship, but it would also unravel the work Radrizzani, Orta and Kinnear have done since arriving in West Yorkshire back in 2017. Huge progress has been made over the last six years, with the Whites finally winning promotion back to the Premier League and striving to keep themselves there.

But, relegation would put Leeds back in the same league they were in when the Italian completed his takeover in the first place. That would certainly have a knock-on effect on his legacy, with an exit strategy and plans seemingly being put together to sell his share of the club to the 49ers Enterprises.

It’s not clear how relegation would truly impact the takeover, but for Radrizzani, who hopes to leave Elland Road on a positive note, his status would be tarnished somewhat. Stadium improvement plans would also be thrown up in the air without the considerable amount of broadcast money that is distributed to Premier League teams.

Indeed, the cumulative impact of making the wrong call at this pivotal moment in the club’s history could well be catastrophic. The Whites go to Manchester United on Wednesday night with the club’s remaining backroom staff taking the reins at Old Trafford, before the Red Devils make the journey to Beeston a few days later.

Leeds will hope to have a new man in place as soon as possible and if an appointment is swift, they could have the opportunity to make progress before the end of the month, with games against relegation-threatened Everton and Southampton to come. United have the squad of players to pull away from danger, the last two transfer windows have made sure of that, they just need to make the right decision on the person to lead them.

Leeds United's next move could be make or break with Andrea Radrizzani's legacy on the line

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