Jesse Marsch: “Ted Lasso” is hurting U.S. coaches more than helping
Jesse Marsch is the latest American to become a coach in the English Premier League following his hiring by Leeds United to be their new coach. However, he thinks that thanks to “Ted Lasso” it will be a lot longer before we see respect given to U.S. coaches in Europe.
Marsch was hired to replace Leeds living legend, Marcelo Bielsa, after a very brutal stretch of losses. In his first press conference Marsch, who was born in Racine, Wisconsin, made a point that there is a stigma against American coaches in part to the Jason Sudeikis show about an American football coach becoming a soccer coach in England.
Part of the issue with the show is that it portrays Lasso as someone who has the slightest clue of how soccer works and as an American he has a completely different cultural appreciation of the sport.
One of the biggest pet peeves for European soccer fans is the use of the word ‘soccer’ instead of ‘football’ and that is something Marsch noted.
“People hate hearing the word soccer,” Marsch said. “I’ve used the word football since I was a professional football player. More and more in the States, we’re adapting to what the game here is, and our connection to what this league is and what the sport is in this country.”
Knowing this though in his first interview for Leeds Marsch joked about having to prove himself as a American coach in England.
“The key is that when they see the team play and if the team plays with passion and heart,” said Marsch. “Then I think normally the fans will tolerate the coach even if they don’t like his accent.”
Coaching in England will not be the first European experience Marsch has had. After being the head coach of the New York Red Bulls, Marsch moved to the sister team Red Bull Salzburg in Austria where he managed for two years winning domestic doubles both seasons and ended up at RB Leipzig for one season before leaving in December 2021.
This European experience should put him in a good spot and give him the needed coaching experience to make waves in the EPL as the third American coach to do so.
Jesse Marsch jumps into the deep end with Leeds as they are being sucked into a relegation battle and he is being called upon to save the day. Currently, Leeds sit only two points ahead of the 18th-placed team, Burnley. His first match in charge will be Saturday, March 5th, at Leicester which will by no means be a walk in the park.
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