Learn from Gandhi and Ali: Marsch seeks to stir Leeds with famous quotes

Jesse Marsch will dip into his collection of inspirational quotes from the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali in an attempt to motivate Leeds’s players for their battle against relegation from the Premier League.

The American, who took charge of Leeds in March after Marcelo Bielsa’s dismissal, faces a daunting task to keep the club in the top flight after they dropped into the bottom three after losing to Arsenal at the weekend. They have 34 points from 35 matches, the same as 17th-placed Burnley, who have a better goal difference. Everton, in 16th, have 35 points and have a game in hand.

Marsch said before Wednesday’s game at home to Chelsea that motivational messages and quotes from the Indian independence hero Gandhi and heavyweight boxing great Ali were among his large collection.

“I have hundreds of quotes I use at different moments,” Marsch said, adding that the NBA icon Michael Jordan, the former Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson and the American football coaching great Vince Lombardi are among others who inspire him.

“I try to think how they fit with who I am and how we play football,” he said. “I love quotes, learning from people of the past. Sports figures, historical figures, whatever. The key is understanding what messages to use at the right time.”

Marsch said France’s 1998 World Cup winners and the 2008 American Olympics basketball champions also inspired him. “I love basketball culture in America,” Marsch said. “The way they combine inner-city kids with university graduates and incredible mentors is amazing. I use things that resonate with me … there are historical figures, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, presidents like John F Kennedy.”

Leeds play Brighton at home after the Chelsea game and end their campaign