Leeds United 'earmark Jesse Marsch as number one target to replace Marcelo Bielsa'

Leeds United have reportedly identified Jesse Marsch as their ideal successor to Marcelo Bielsa, should the latter decide to leave the club this summer.

Bielsea, 66, has just five months remaining on his contract at Elland Road, and his long-term future at the club remains uncertain.

According to the Daily Mail, Leeds have made American coach Marsch their primary managerial target and they will look to approach him should Bielsa call time on his four-year spell in West Yorkshire.

The report adds that Leeds are not the only club interested in Marsch, as two other Premier League teams are believed to have made enquiries about his availability, while Athletic Bilbao have also expressed their interest.

Marsch is current unemployed after he was sacked by RB Leipzig in December last year, less than 18 months into his tenure with the Bundesliga club.

The 48-year-old began his coaching career with MLS outfit 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.