Leeds United have confirmed that Marcelo Bielsa has been sacked as manager. Former RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch is expected to be announced as his successor.
The Elland Road club have been in freefall and suffered their fourth successive heavy defeat on the weekend after Tottenham thrashed them 4-0.
Bielsa, who guided Leeds back to the top-flight, had come under intense scrutiny over his stubbornness to change tactics, with Leeds conceding more goals than any other club in the Premier League.
And now the Argentine has paid the ultimate price as he leaves the club in 16th and in the middle of a relegation dogfight.
Bielsa won the affection of the Leeds faithful after guiding them back to the promised land in the 2019-2020 season.
Under his guidance, Leeds achieved their best league finish for almost 20 years last season as they easily staved off the threat of relegation by finishing 9th.
However, Leeds have struggled to repeat their performances of last season and now find themselves in danger of going down.
Bielsa’s struggles to turn around Leeds’ fortunes have, in part, been due to an injury crisis that has kept the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford out of action in recent weeks.
Despite Bielsa working wonders at the club, the board have now taken decisive action in a bid to stop their slump.
American manager Marsch, who spent a brief spell in charge of Leipzig earlier this season, has been identified as Leeds’ No 1 candidate and will be tasked with keeping the club in the Premier League.
Leeds currently sit just two points above the relegation zone but have played two more games than 18th-placed Burnley.
The Elland Road side face a crunch period coming up with games against fellow relegation strugglers Norwich and Watford in the next couple of months.
Marsch could be in the dugout before Leeds’ next match against Leicester on Saturday, March 5.
