Leeds sack Marcelo Bielsa as Jesse Marsch lined up as replacement

Leeds United have sacked manager Marcelo Bielsa after slipping even closer to the Premier League relegation zone with another humbling defeat.

The Whites were thrashed 4-0 at home by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon, with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min running riot at Elland Road.

The loss was Leeds' fifth in their last six top-flight fixtures and left them just two points clear of 18th-placed Burnley.

Bielsa, who was appointed boss in 2018 and led the club to promotion from the Championship two seasons ago, admitted his side deserved to be drubbed by an opponent who were far superior on the day.

The Argentine, 66, was a hugely popular figure among fans but Leeds' alarming run of form left club chiefs weighing up his future in West Yorkshire.

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The club confirmed they had parted ways with Bielsa after three-and-a-half years with a statement.

Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani said: "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.

"With Marcelo as our head coach, we had three incredible campaigns and the good times returned to Elland Road. 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, myself and the fans included.

"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.

"We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season.

"Naturally, myself, along with everyone else at the club would like to thank Marcelo for his efforts and achievements and we wish him the very best for the future."

Former RB Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch has emerged as the favourite to take over and had already been tipped to take the reins at the end of the season, when Bielsa's contract was due to expire.

But Leeds chiefs have brought their plans forward in a bid to arrest their slide and ensure they are not relegated.

As well as the heavy defeat by Spurs, Leeds were dismantled in a 6-0 loss to Liverpool in midweek and they also let in four goals against Manchester United earlier in February.

Marsch has been out of work since leaving Leipzig by mutual consent in December 2021, while he was previously in charge of Red Bull Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.

Should he take the job, the American's main job will be to shore up a defence which has conceded a concerning 60 goals in 26 league games.