Leeds United's 'character is clear' says manager Jesse Marsch
- James Richardson
- 22 May 2022
Jesse Marsch heaped praise on his Leeds United squad after they pulled off a final day great escape avoiding relegation to the Championship thanks to their 2-1 victory over Brentford.
Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch hailed the character his side has shown to find the vital late goals they needed to clinch their stay in the Premier League for another season.
Locked in a final day showdown with Burnley, Leeds United pulled out a dramatic 2-1 victory over Brentford.
The final day showdown was also a week removed from Leeds' 1-1 draw with Brighton at Elland Road, earned with a stoppage-time equaliser.
Leeds United 'show great character' to survive
Burnley's final day loss meant that a draw would have been enough to stay up but Leeds pulled off the win to finish in some style.
"This group has been able to dig deep in injury time and find goals and the character is clear and it's a privilege to work with these guys," he told Sky Sports.
Marsch has been contracted until June 2025 but knew that his top job was keeping Leeds in the Premier League.
He will now turn his attention to moulding this Leeds team into his image and hopes to put comparisons with former manager Marcelo Bielsa to bed.
"There's so much been said about Marcelo Bielsa v me and there's been people counting us out, I get it, this is high level stuff, and fans pay attention all over the world," said 48-year-old Marsch.
"It's not a perfect representation of what I want this team to be but in this situation we came together well.
"I love this group, team, character, commitment and spirit."
Singing his name
Marsch seems to have won over the fans but said that the main thing was that the team is staying in the top flight.
"The stress has been high for three months, I've tried to stay calm and focus on us," said Marsch.
"I appreciate the fans singing my name but that's not the important thing.
"We are Leeds United and that's what we will always be as long as I am here."
When Marsch arrived Leeds United were sitting just two points above the relegation zone and there were 12 games remaining.
The start was rocky with successive losses suffered in the first two weeks of March, but they would go unbeaten in five before being thumped 4-0 by Manchester City at the end of April.
Leeds also got nothing from matches against Arsenal and Chelsea before halting their slide at home to Brighton and clinching safety on the final day.
