Leeds United have announced the appointment of Jesse Marsch as their new head coach, pending international clearance.
The 48-year-old American replaces Marcelo Bielsa, who was relieved of his duties on Sunday morning after nearly four years at Elland Road.
Marsch has put pen to paper on a contract running until June 2025 and will be in charge for Saturday's Premier League fixture away at Leicester City.
Speaking on his appointment, Marsch said: "One of the things I love about this team right now is their commitment no matter how difficult the games have been, to play to the end, to fight for each other, to never stop, to give everything they have to each other at every moment.
"This mentality, this mindset to play for the fans, to fight for the fans, to fight for each other. This is what I love.
#LUFC can today announce the appointment of Jesse Marsch as our new head coach, pending international clearance
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 28, 2022
"I just want to help take the torch to the next phase and understand that everything that's been done, has laid an incredible foundation and coming in at this moment, I just want to try to do everything I can to help take the club into the next phase of our history.
"I think my style of play my aggressiveness, the desire I have for teams to be intensive and to run and to make things difficult for the opponent fits with what has been done here the last three and a half years.
"It will be a big challenge to do it in a short period of time and make sure that we evolve in a way that can be successful for what the future may bring, but do it now."
In a statement on the club's official website, Leeds director of football Victor Orta said: "We are delighted to welcome Jesse to the club and excited for him to lead us into this new chapter.
"Jesse is someone we identified a number of years ago during his time at Red Bull Salzburg and we believe his philosophy and style of football aligns with that of the club and will suit the players very well.
"We have a long-term plan and firmly believe he can take Leeds United to the next level and are excited for what the future holds."
Marsch began his managerial career with MLS side Montreal Impact, before being sounded out by the Red Bull franchise, moving to New York Red Bulls for three years and then winning two Austrian Bundesliga titles with Red Bull Salzburg between 2019 and 2021.
The American was then appointed head coach at German outfit RB Leipzig in July but he was sacked just six months into the role, after winning only seven of his 21 games across all competitions.
> Click here to find out more about Leeds United's new boss Jesse Marsch
Oliver Thomas
