Graham Smyth drops major behind-scenes Marsch claim, Leeds supporters will be excited - opinion

The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth has revealed the big change that new Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch will bring behind the scenes at Elland Road.

When asked about the biggest differences between Bielsa and Marsch, Smyth revealed: “Other than the tactical differences, I think the level of interaction between the head coach and the players and staff around Thorp Arch will be very different under Marsch.

“He’s an arm-around-the-shoulder guy, he’ll likely invite input on issues like communication and his dealings with the media will be very different. He’s already engaged in one-to-one sit down sessions with broadcasters who had to tag their interviews onto the end of Bielsa’s press conferences.”

It was quite telling that after the dramatic game against Wolves, Marsch was quick to hail his players’ mentality, saying: “It’s a group that has big hearts, quality young men and I’m very thankful to be here with them and to be in a fight with them because even though I’ve only been here a short while I believe in them.”

That managerial technique of just being on a more similar level to the players rather than being stand-offish is exactly what Smyth has claimed Marsch really brings to the table, and that togetherness was on display in the way Leeds reacted to going two goals down at Molineux.

Whether the American chose to just calm things down at half-time and encourage his players rather than lay into them remains to be seen, but he certainly seems like an approachable figure on the side-line who is willing to have conversations with those around him, both in the coaching staff and the playing group.

While Bielsa delivered such incredible times at Elland Road with his own style, Marsch’s own way of working should be