Tyler Adams has insisted Jesse Marsch is one of the most underappreciated managers in the Premier League. Little was known about the American manager when he replaced Marcelo Bielsa earlier this year.
Just two senior caps for the United States is reflective of an underwhelming playing career but he has enjoyed more success since moving to the dugout. After building his reputation in the MLS, a move to Europe beckoned.
New York Red Bulls allowed him to make the switch to their sister club, RB Salzburg in 2019. Two Austrian titles saw Marsch move across the Austria-Germany border to join RB Leipzig for a brief spell.
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Since he joined Leeds, discussions have taken place about whether the 49-year-old endures unfair stick due to his Americanisms. Marsch himself even joked how iconic TV character Ted Lasso “hasn’t helped” US-based coaches seeking a career in football.
Speaking before the Whites’ 3-1 defeat to Manchester City, compatriot Adams was asked whether Marsch’s character fits the American stereotype. The Leeds midfielder also hailed his manager’s tactical knowledge, citing his education through the Red Bull setup.
“Yes and no,” Adams, serving a one-match suspension, replied to NBC Sports. “It's a 50/50. His tactical knowledge of the game is very underrated. I think who he learned from through the Red Bull system were some amazing managers, how they were tactically sound and what they did with and without the ball.
“A lot of his game and emphasis is about (playing) against the ball. But yeah, his personality is pretty accurate. He's a very positive person, very optimistic as well. He’s a great person at the end of the day.”
Adams also emphasised the importance of playing in front of a buoyant home crowd. He added: “One thing we know, especially playing at Elland Road, is we go out, it doesn't matter who it is - we don't hold back. With the fans behind you, you feel like you could run for 120 minutes every single game.
“We started off (on a) high, obviously we went through a lot of ups and downs. I think it took more time than we expected to get everyone on the same page with how we want to play. But now everyone has bought into it, you can see that we're trending in the right direction.”
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