INTERNATIONAL: Leeds United has appointed former RB Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch as the new manager to try and salvage their Premier League status after Marcelo’s sacking, the club said on Monday.

 Leeds United parted ways with Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa on Sunday after their 4-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur left the club hovering above the Premier League relegation zone. Defeat by Spurs was their fourth straight loss, however, and they conceded 17 goals in those matches, leaving them in 16th place, two points above the relegation zone.

"This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club," Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani said.

Marcelo became a hugely popular figure at Leeds after ending their years outside of the Premier League and restoring them to the top flight with an entertaining brand of high-energy attacking football.

"He changed the culture of the club and brought a winning mentality to us all. The moments created, particularly in the 2019/20 season and winning promotion to the Premier League, will, of course, live long in all our memories, I and the fans included," Radrizzani said.

"However, I have to act in the best interest of the club and I believe a change is required now in order to secure our Premier League status. Recent results and performances have not met our expectations."

Marsch, a former U.S. international midfielder, played in the MLS for D.C. United, Chicago Fire and Chivas USA and after hanging up his boots became an assistant with the national team. His first head coach job was with Montreal Impact in 2012, before joining New York Red Bulls three years later where he was named 2015 MLS Coach of the Year. In a statement, the club said Marsch had signed a deal as head coach that will run until June 2025.

^{PHOTO: FILE FOOTAGE OF JESSE MARSCH WHEN HE WAS HEAD COACH OF RB LEIPZIG PREPARING WITH THE TEAM FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST PSG}