Leeds coach Jesse Marsch was invited to Ted Lasso filming

Jesse Marsch had a chance to meet Ted Lasso - the fictional character he's desperate to distance himself from as Leeds coach in England - but turned down the invitation because it was in the middle of the Premier League relegation fight.

Marsch has been trying to reshape the reputation American soccer has in England since he arrived at Leeds in March and said in his first press conference that the TV show would make it harder for him.

Marsch's predecessor, Marcelo Bielsa, was hugely popular at Elland Road but Marsch arrived with Leeds two points above the relegation zone. It was around that time, Marsch said, that the Ted Lasso producers reached out to him.

'They were filming in London and they gave me an invitation but it was in the middle of the relegation fight,' Marsch told ESPN. 'But I'm a huge Jason Sudekis fan and so any time I could be on set or see what's going on, that would be awesome.

'I haven't (had time to watch it in the offseason). I've heard it's a really great show, I've heard it's inspiring and a lot of people love it. I'll have to find some time to watch it.

'It's just about managing the way people speak about Americans in England and our sport. I think no one comes here if they're afraid of what people might say.'

Speaking at his introductory press conference Marsch, the only American coach in the Premier League, said the show's popularity could mean he wasn't going to be taken as seriously by English soccer fans.

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