The Marsch impact
Episode five of Academy Dreams: Leeds United ushers in the new dawn at the club under Jesse Marsch. While this is a documentary about the under-23 side, it’s clear the first team’s head coach is going to have a direct impact on their futures.
Crysencio Summerville sets out the biggest difference between Marcelo Bielsa and Marsch, which occurred in the first few days of the American’s tenure. He said: “Jesse is coming up to the young lads by himself and talking [about] what he wants from you, what you have to do. That’s the difference.”
Others, like Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt, are asked by the producers in the dressing room about the first few weeks under Marsch. ‘Sick’ and ‘more enjoyable’ are a flavour of the responses coming back at the camera.
READ MORE: Leeds United's Crysencio Summerville opens up on January frustrations and Marcelo Bielsa gratitude
Marsch’s energy is clear
The cameras take in what appears to be one of Marsch’s early team talks with the players on the pitches at Thorp Arch. It’s plain to see how much energy the American is bringing to the table and there was even mention of Europe in how competitive he hopes this team can become.
“Today, I felt at times, too much frustration,” he said. “You (off-camera) were a little bit frustrated over there. Sometimes I see frustration from you (off-camera) that we’re working a lot against the ball.
“Making sure we are aligned and we are good against the ball, that’s going to be the difference between us fighting for Europe or fighting for relegation.”
Jackson’s last-minute phone call
On the day Marsch was announced as the club’s new head coach, Mark Jackson was managing the under-23s at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Premier League 2. The Whites would draw 1-1 with the London giants, but after the match, it became clear he would be needed back at Thorp Arch first thing the following morning.
The match had finished around 9pm in the capital, but Marsch needed one of his new right-hand men by his side for the following morning to get stuck into first-team duties. The fifth episode pulls back the curtain on the relationship between that pair.
You can watch all six episodes of Academy Dreams: Leeds United on Amazon Prime Video now.
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Bielsa's Leeds United banishment and first-team interference in Academy Dreams episode three
Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood's near-telepathic bond as Leeds United pair discuss chemistry
