Leeds United fans say goodbye to Jesse Marsch, while still embracing American players
The thrill of the trailblazer isn’t about a final result. It’s about the path that’s never been travelled, hoping it leads to a more common future.
Jesse Marsch’s time at Leeds United is over. Leeds sacked the American manager just 37 matches into his tenure after a horrid run of form resulted in goal differential being the only distinguishing factor keeping the Peacocks out of the relegation zone.
American fans were bouncing with excitement just 10 days ago when Leeds United announced the incoming transfer of Weston McKennie. Together with Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, Leeds United had three American internationals playing under an American manager in the biggest football league on the planet. It was a trailblazing moment.
However, the moment flickered and vanished with Marsch’s sacking.
It is a disappointment for fans of the Stars and Stripes, but one that seemed predictable for sections of football fans on social media who might have questioned Leeds United’s motivations in bringing in so many players, and a manager, from a country with very limited success in the Premier League.
But for Leeds fans who are regular match-goers and have followed the club religiously during a topsy-turvy 20th century, there was never any xenophobia toward the American contingent.
“I don’t think we’ve looked at this situation and thought of it as a branding exercise by the club,” said Calum Archibald, a former Leeds season-ticket holder who now lives in Birmingham and has supported the club for more than 20 years.
“There are actually six Spanish players at Leeds, and nobody really talks about that. For us as fans, we treat the American players like we would the Spanish players. We give them our full support and want to see them play to their potential.”
If winning over the fans was a challenge for Marsch when he first arrived in 2022, it wasn’t due to his nationality, but instead the looming shadow of whom he replaced.
Gyp Walters, a board member of the Leeds United Supporters Trust, admits he still gets goosebumps when he talks about Marcelo Bielsa and his five-year reign as Leeds manager. Bielsa helped Leeds ascend back into the Premier League behind a thrilling, fast-paced style of football. Marsch had enormous shoes to fill.
“Bielsa will always be a hero to our club,” Walters said. “When Marsch was brought in, I think the fan base was already on edge because of where we were in the table. He kept us up, and we were thrilled with his accomplishments last season, but I think part of the fans never truly moved on from Bielsa.”
As Marsch exits the club, Walters and Archibald both applaud his kindness and transparency. They have no doubts the American manager cared deeply about his job and the club, but results are undeniable. Without a win since November, Marsch’s time was up.
But Adams, Aaronson and McKennie remain, and are now in a relegation battle. A hot start to Leeds life for Aaronson has cooled off since the World Cup break.Adams, on the other hand, is already a fan-favourite. Perhaps no American in Premier League history has acclimated to the league and to his club as quickly as the United States’ captain.
Adams’ popularity can be attributed to a variety of reasons, perhaps most notably his position and style of play. Leeds fans have an affinity for a physical No. 6, with Kalvin Phillips, David Batty and Billy Bremner as prime examples of defensive midfielders who became club heroes.
“It’s just an iconic position,” said Josh Townend, who grew up going to Leeds United matches before moving to Wales.
“We love players who don’t shy away from the physical battles and aren’t afraid to get stuck in a tackle. I think Tyler Adams came in and right away showed both his quality and his mindset where he wasn’t afraid.”
Then there’s McKennie, who arrived from Juventus in the January transfer window and should be a regular starter in midfield alongside Adams. When Fabrizio Romano first reported Leeds’ interest in the American, Leeds fans thought of the potential signing as a welcome addition to the club, and not just another American import.
All three fans who spoke with the Sports Gazette don’t hold any reservations on the influx of Americans to their club over the past 12 months, and this is an exciting time for fans of the U.S. Men’s National Team. Even Roger Bennett, one of the ‘Men in Blazers’ who is a lifelong Everton fan, now has a soft spot for Leeds United.
But Walters, Archibald and Townend would like to exercise a word of caution. The trio don’t want a shift in identity for their beloved club as the money continues to pour into the Premier League and fans from all over the world start flocking to cities like Leeds.
American players, an American manager and even the American owners are welcome, as long as the local fans are not forgotten.
“The true fans would always want the structure of the club to revolve on our community attachment,” Walters said. “That’s something that might get lost with the globalisation of the sport, but rain or shine, it’s us who will be at the games. It’s a special relationship that’s been built over time, and it should be a priority.”
