Marsch admits to ‘gravity’ of Leeds situation, but claims best yet to come amid relegation peril

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch feels prepared to bear the brunt of the criticism should the Whites lose their battle against relegation.

Leeds have suffered a downturn in form from their showing last season under Marcelo Bielsa. Injuries to the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford have not helped, but they have failed to overcome those hurdles.

Bielsa got the sack following a run of heavy defeats. Marsch inspired something of a turnaround with three wins in five, but it is now three defeats in a row again.

As a result, Leeds sit 18th in the Premier League, level on points with Burnley above them and two behind 16th-placed Everton.

Marsch has therefore admitted that he will take responsibility if the Whites’ 16-year wait to get back in the Premier League brings only two seasons of top-flight football.

“The person in this position, when things don’t go well, always gets blamed,” the 49-year-old told the Daily Mail.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re in a relegation scrap or whatever. What I like is that when it goes well, I want it to be about the players, team, club and the fans.

“That’s my belief of what this job is and, the better I do my job, then the credit can go to other places and we can enjoy success together.

“Our focus right now is always to stay strong together, have a plan for Brighton and make sure we’re at our best.”

Indeed, Brighton at Elland Road is Leeds’ penultimate game of the season before a trip to Brentford next Sunday.

Despite the three defeats in a row, Leeds showed fighting spirit to come from 2-0 down and beat Wolves 3-2 in March.

Marsch subsequently believes that the Elland Road club are ready to dig in and show their survival spirit.

“Of course it’s incredibly serious,” the manager added.