'When not if' - National media react to Jesse March's…

'When not if' - National media react to Jesse March's sacking by Leeds United

Jesse Marsch was relieved of his duties by Leeds United on Monday after a dismal run of just two wins in his last 17 league games.

He leaves Elland Road after less than a year in charge, with Leeds only separated by the relegation zone on goal difference.

Here is how the national media have been reacting to Marsch's dismissal...

'A case of when not if'

Adam Pope of BBC Sport wrote: "It was a case of when not if for the axe to fall on Marsch, although the swiftness of the reaction by the board to Sunday's defeat at Nottingham Forest was unexpected.

"The away support is always an accurate barometer of where a fanbase sits with regards its head coach and at the City Ground the calls for his head were so vociferous it felt even Marsch's most ardent backers were not prepared to spare him.

"After a spectacularly successful spending spree in the January transfer market, including record signing Georginio Rutter, Max Wober and Weston McKennie, added to several significant incomings last summer the feeling is that Marsch was not capable of coaching an enviable squad to its potential.

"The narrow Red Bull style he brought to Elland Road was a huge departure from the aesthetically pleasing one of his predecessor Marcelo Bielsa, and suffered constant criticism not least for an absence of consistent results as well as a confusing system.

"The Bielsa widows may still weep but there will be few tears at the news of Marsch's departure. A really decent man but who was unable to coach Leeds United to the next level. The question is, who will?"

'Inability to turn performances into points'

Mark Douglas wrote on I News: "Marsch was viewed as the perfect candidate and set about instilling a culture change at the club. After Bielsa demanded strict adherence to his principles, Marsch wanted players to take more responsibility and leadership on the field. Initially that went well, with Leeds shocking Chelsea as they made a great start to the season.

"But it couldn’t be sustained, with Leeds unable to turn possession and sometimes positive performances into goals and points amid complaints about tactics and team selection. Eagle-eyed fans also noted supporter favourite Mateusz Klich, who left the club in January after being lightly used before January, liked the club’s post announcing the American’s departure.

"Marsch had collected plenty of goodwill at Leeds for keeping the club in the Premier League in difficult circumstances last season and the club supplied him with players to play his preferred system and, recently, an assistant in Chris Armas who was a trusted lieutenant. But the reality is concerns about an inability to turn performances into points were mounting behind-the-scenes before the decision was taken to fire Marsch.

"i understands the club had considered a change earlier in the season but there was a feeling that the team’s analytics continued to point in the right direction and towards an eventual upturn in form.

"That has not proven to be the case and Leeds have acted after a toothless display against Nottingham Forest that kicks off a crucial week for the club that includes back-to-back games against Manchester United before a hugely significant trip to Everton. The instant impact enjoyed by Sean Dyche at Goodison Park will not have gone unnoticed in West Yorkshire

'Ill-suited to the pressing philosophy beloved by Orta'

Louise Taylor observed in the Guardian: "Orta, who is understood to have long fought hard to keep him, had helped secure some potentially transformative January signings in the £35m France Under-21 forward Georginio Rutter, the £10m Austria defender Max Wöber and the Juventus loanee midfielder Weston McKennie.

"The decision not to give Marsch time to continue working with them – or indeed the promising individuals such as Tyler Adams and Willy Gnonto included in last summer’s mixed bag of buys – reflects not merely the possibly ruinous cost of relegation but the reality that it could jeopardise the full takeover by the San Francisco-based 49er Enterprises, which owns 44% of the shares.

"It is no exaggeration to say the club’s future hinges on the new manager’s ability to recalibrate a side perhaps ill-suited to the pressing philosophy beloved by Orta."

'When not if' - National media react to Jesse March's sacking by Leeds United

'A case of when not if'

'Inability to turn performances into points'

'Ill-suited to the pressing philosophy beloved by Orta'

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