Twelve competitive games is nowhere near enough to be sold on a head coach at a football club and Jesse Marsch knows that at Leeds United. The American was walking into a very challenging situation when he arrived in late February with a dozen matches in which to keep an ailing side in the division.
Not only was Marsch hamstrung by injuries, suspensions, limited time for new tactics and a stressful on-pitch environment, but he had to follow one of the club’s most iconic bosses. Marcelo Bielsa ended a 16-year exile from the top flight and found his way onto murals around the county in celebration of his achievements.
Marsch had so much to overcome in those three months, as well as dealing with the stigma around American accents he believes exists in the European game. And yet, somehow, with the odds overwhelmingly stacked against them on the final day, Marsch delivered safety.
TAKE PART: Squad concerns, new arrivals, Jesse Marsch approval - 'The Big Leeds United Forum'
That accomplishment has gone a long way towards bringing optimism and hope into the summer before his first full season at the helm, backed by a full pre-season and a recruitment drive in his image. Everyone knows that goodwill and hope will evaporate if they do not start the season well with what is a comparably favourable set of opening fixtures.
On the eve of the new season, LeedsLive are asking supporters to let us know on a scale of zero to 100 just how happy they are with seven key areas of the club including, of course, the amount of trust you are placing in the head coach and staff to deliver success. It’s all part our 'Big Leeds United Forum', a new series that asks the big questions. You answer and we debate all of the goings on at LS11.
The trust mark for me out of 100 is at 44 right now. The caveats are evident, but it’s hard to take anything hugely inspiring from the way the team played in the final 12 games of last term.
There is optimism based on the way Marsch speaks and the fact the recruitment has been crafted for his tactics, but all three friendlies in Australia failed to really get the juices flowing for the new campaign. The demolition of Cagliari did move that mark up from a 40, but until we see that first five games of the season it really is hard to fully trust which direction the club is going in under Marsch.
The appointment of Rene Maric may prove to be one of the better pieces of business done this summer. The Austrian, still only 29, is regarded as one of the brightest young coaches on the continent and was highly sought after before Leeds landed him.
Maric’s rapid rise through the ranks at Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund has only occurred because of how much he has impressed. Time will tell what impact he makes, but sources inside Leeds are ecstatic that a forward-thinking coach of his calibre is now working at Thorp Arch.
Now it's over to you, how much on a scale of 0-100 do you trust the manager and staff to deliver success? Use the sliders below to record your score on that question and six other key talking points. Click HERE if the form doesn't load properly
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