Leeds United's new manager Jesse Marsch dismisses 'Ted Lasso' caricature of US coaches

Jesse Marsch has admitted he has to confront the stigma attached to American managers in England as he marked his unveiling at Leeds United by promising to stay even if they get relegated to the Championship.

The 48-year-old has become only the second American to manage in the Premier League after Bob Bradley, who was sacked by Swansea after just 85 days, while there are reports Manchester United players have nicknamed coach Chris Armas ‘Ted Lasso’ after the clueless sitcom character.

But Marsch said he left his homeland because standards in Europe are higher and rejected suggestions he was employed because the San Francisco 49ers have a stake in Leeds as he insisted the Yorkshire city has echoes of his home town.

“That is not the main reason I am here and to say there is an Americanisation of this club would be inaccurate,” he said. “I think there is probably a stigma [about American managers]. I am not sure Ted Lasso helped. I get it. People hate hearing the word ‘soccer’.

"I have used the word ‘football’ since I was a professional football player. I can understand they don’t think we have the experiences that can be created in Europe. Frankly, they are right. It is the reason I came to Europe, the reason I learnt German. This is the fifth country I have coached in. It takes me out of my comfort zone.

“Where I am from, Milwaukee in Wisconsin, reminds me of Leeds. My father worked on the assembly line in a tractor factory for 32 years. Working hard is what I know.”

Marsch marked his arrival by paying tribute to Marcelo Bielsa but insisting he has to do things his way. He has spent his first week at Elland Road abandoning his predecessor’s controversial man-marking system in a bid to improve Leeds’ defensive record after