Jesse Marsch is not the most popular figure among Leeds United fans. His disastrous stint at Elland Road played a major role in getting the team relegated from the Premier League in 2023, with many insisting that he was never good enough for the job.
The American coach was roped in 2022 to replace Marcelo Bielsa, a cult figure at Leeds who led them to promotion to the top flight after 15 years, but was sacked when it seemed that he could be leading the team back to the Championship.
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Marsch steadied the ship and kept Leeds in the Premier League. However, the team’s performances worsened the next season, and many felt Leeds were too late to sack him. The club eventually dropped down to the second tier of English football.
He is now in charge of the Canadian national team, and he and his team grabbed headlines on Tuesday night when they beat Wales 1-0 in Swansea in preparation for next year’s World Cup in North America.
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Former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch attracts the ire of Craig Bellamy
Canada’s win over Wales was an upset, and the Welsh national team manager Craig Bellamy was not too happy with the celebrations he witnessed from Marsch.
The former winger was a fiery customer during his playing days, and he remains one even after hanging up the boots and taking up management.
The Canada boss’ exuberance after the game rubbed him the wrong way, and the Wales manager is keen to get an opportunity to avenge the defeat in the World Cup next year.
He pointed out the former Leeds boss was already celebrating even before the final whistle was blown, which angered the Welshman.
“Honestly, I’m actually not happy because I really hate losing more than I like winning”, Bellamy said on Sky Sports.
“I see him [Marsch] celebrating at the end. I’m thinking, ‘I hope I see you at the World Cup. I hope I see you again’.
“But I have to also be gracious. Jesse was shaking his coach’s hand before the final whistle. I have to get used to that.”
Wales will get a good backing from Leeds United fans if they face Marsch’s Canada in the World Cup next year.
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