Jesse Marsch pulls off masterstroke by promoting Leeds star to crucial leadership role

Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch is making changes behind the scenes at Elland Road after it was revealed Rodrigo has been added to the club’s leadership group.

Marsch is implementing his own ideas since replacing Marcelo Bielsa and although he is happy with the leadership group, he felt a tweak was needed. With that in mind he has promoted Rodrigo to add some foreign flavour.

According to the Athletic’s Phil Hay, the change was made following the 3-0 home mauling against Aston Villa. And it could have had an immediate impact with Rodrigo starring in the 2-1 win over Norwich.

The former Valencia star scored the opening goal before a dramatic Joe Gelhardt injury-time strike sealed the win.

It is hard to say whether the promotion played a part in Rodrigo’s inspired performance. But it could be a masterstroke by Marsch nonetheless.

Most squads throughout world sport, not just in football have leadership groups. Gone are the days of just having a captain to lead the club on and off the pitch.

Now the idea is to spread the load. Take some of the pressure off the captain, in this case Liam Cooper. A group of leaders on the pitch and in the dressing room can only be a good thing. But the mix has to be right. Something Marsch has identified.

Not only that the leadership group helps bridge the gap between the players and the management. So it is important that every member of the squad is represented.

This is why Hay claims Marsch immediately noticed that the group was lacking a foreign influence.

Hay says of the group: “Cooper, the club’s captain, was a member of it, along with others including Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Adam Forshaw.

“Just a short time at the training ground told him that Bamford and Kalvin Phillips should be