Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has already seen a difference in the way Leeds United play under Jesse Marsch in comparison to Marcelo Bielsa. Marsch has taken charge of four matches since succeeding Bielsa at Elland Road, in which he has won two and lost two.
The 48-year-old has looked to transition Leeds away from the man-to-man system in operation under Bielsa, to a more zonal orientated style of pressing. Although performances have been inconsistent so far, the fact Leeds average the highest xG in the league since his appointment suggests they are on the right track.
Hasenhuttl and Marsch have taken a similar career path on their road to becoming a manager, as they both have originated from the Red Bull philosophy. Hasenhuttl spent two years managing RB Leipzig before his arrival at Southampton, while Marsch has managed New York Red Bulls, RB Salzburg and Leipzig on his journey to the Premier League.
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Both manager’s preferred system is a 4-2-2-2, as it enables their sides to push bodies forward both on and off the ball and operate in areas high up the pitch. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Hasenhuttl has already seen ‘typical habits’ of Marsch side in his early days at Leeds and believes he made the right step in coming to the Premier League after his time in the Red Bull setup.
"Everybody sees the difference. This team was known for a very man-oriented way of playing. Now, I think it's the complete opposite. I think he [Marsch] is an outstanding character, very, very close to the players. You can feel and you can see a few typical habits of him now playing. I think he found a team that that suits him because [it suits] his way of playing football and this is the reason why I think he has had a good impact in this team.
"I must say I was with him a few times and it was interesting to hear his view about football and it was interesting to watch his development as a coach. I think it was not so easy with a language to start in a German-speaking country and I think the step he made, first Salzburg and Leipzig and now in the Premier League is absolutely the right way to go.
"I know Jesse from my time with Leipzig, he was a few times visiting us and had a few good moments with him. [We] didn't work together but we met each other a few times there and he has I think also this RB history."
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