(Football news) American coach Jesse Marsch has been appointed new head coach of Leeds United on a three-and-a-half-year deal after Marcelo Bielsa was sacked by the club on Sunday. The Argentine was let go after Leeds United lost 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur which has left the club in 16th place and are just two points above the relegation zone. Marsch has previously coached New York Red Bulls and RB Salzburg and will hope to turn the club’s fortunes around to ensure survival in the league.

Speaking about the appointment, Leeds United 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."

Chief Executive Angus Kinnear added: "We are really pleased to have quickly secured the services of our first-choice head coach. Whilst the short-term objective for Jesse is obvious, we believe he has the courage and ambition to build on the strong foundations we have created over the last four years and elevate the performance of the club over the long-term. 

He had a great deal of success with New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg and has demonstrated during our many meetings that he is a great fit with the footballing culture of Leeds United. At this challenging time, it is important that the club remains united from top to bottom. The fans have been amazing throughout Andrea's tenure and we have no doubt they will unite behind Jesse and ensure the team quickly returns to winning with style."

In an interview with Sky Sports, Jesse Marsch said “Obviously I'm excited but I'm very focused on the task at hand. I know the situation is not exactly what everyone had envisioned when the season started, but I have my energy and I'm focused and I'm ready to do whatever it takes to help this team. I don't quite see it as 12 Cup finals – I see it as 12 games is enough time. We have to stay calm, there's no panic. 

I know there's been stress because of the way the last few games have gone, but I think for us it's really important that we focus on every moment, every game and every day and that we remove the stress and focus on the things we can control. In general in this football lifestyle, it's really important to understand that but in the moment now, being calm, clear and disciplined will help us. 

My respect for Marcelo Bielsa is massive. I've watched him for years and he has such a unique playing style. A lot of what I believe in and my playing principles are similar to the things that he likes and he does, and I followed very popular managers wherever I've gone. I know there are challenges to that, but for me it's focusing on who I am and what the job takes and what is necessary for the team to grow. 

Certainly, I know the fanbase has a lot of loyalty to Marcelo as they should as he's a hero here. He's brought the club back up to such a high level back in the Premier League so for me, my task is to take the club to the next step. The short term is about keeping the club in the Premier League but in the longer term it's about continuing to grow and to be the club the fans feel it deserves to be, which is one of the elite clubs in England." 

When asked if he would change his philosophy to a more pragmatic approach in order to achieve that short-term objective of survival, Marsch added: "There's two things. The job of a manager is to create a mentality and an environment that's about teamwork and achieving something together and then there's the playing style. I think I have a lot of similarities to Marcelo in terms of the aggressiveness, the intensity and the run performances. I'm not man-to-man, I'm more zonal and ball-orientated and with the ball I have a few other tactical ideas, but I think transforming the group because of the way they act, behave and think on the field won't be a huge 180 degree transfer.

It will only require little adjustments and then my mentality is all about the group and maximising people. These are young men who want to achieve something special and it's my job to help direct their energies in a way where they understand we can do that together. This is what I love about football: the chance to work on that on a daily basis and then have the chance at the weekend to put in out there on the pitch.

"With a club of this size and these fans, I feel we have big possibilities and it's my job to maximise the potential of those possibilities every day. I'm not here to be Marcelo Bielsa. I'm here to continue the process and take the next steps for the club. As proud as the fans are proud of their connection with Marcelo, it's my job to ensure they can continue to be proud of what we are."

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