American coach Jesse Marsch takes over Leipzig in Bundesliga

The Wisconsin native is taking over from Julian Nagelsmann, who left for Bayern Munich after helping RB Leipzig arguably become its biggest challenger.

Published : Jul 09, 2021 21:45 IST , BERLIN

RB Leipzig's new head coach Jesse Marsch speaks during a press conference before his team's training session in Germany.
RB Leipzig's new head coach Jesse Marsch speaks during a press conference before his team's training session in Germany.
lightbox-info

RB Leipzig's new head coach Jesse Marsch speaks during a press conference before his team's training session in Germany.

Americans are taking their coaching expertise to the Bundesliga.

New Leipzig coach Jesse Marsch became the second American in charge of a team in Germany’s top football division after Stuttgart's Pellegrino Matarazzo.

“The best way to represent our football back home, and the pride I have of being an American and a big part of MLS (Major League Soccer) — that being a big part of my story — is just to honour what I think needs to be done and to try to work as hard as I possibly can,” Marsch said in a video conference call with journalists this week.

RELATED | Neuer remains Bayern captain, Nagelsmann backs embattled Sane

The Wisconsin native is taking over from Julian Nagelsmann, who left for Bayern Munich after helping Leipzig arguably become its biggest challenger. Leipzig finished runner-up to Bayern last season, and third the season before that. It has qualified for the Champions League the last three seasons.

The club’s performance is commendable, considering that it was founded by energy drinks company Red Bull only in 2009. Now, Red Bull wants the 47-year-old Marsch to take Leipzig another step further in its development.

“One of the most exciting things about being here is how truly talented this team is,” Marsch said. “Then it’s just about trying to help them achieve potential. And if we do that, then we believe at the end of the season, like last year, we can be competing for some really big, big things.”

ALSO READ | UEFA president Ceferin says he won't support pan-continental Euros again

Marsch is no stranger to Leipzig having served as coach Ralf Rangnick’s assistant in 2018-19, when the team finished third and reached the German Cup final. Marsch previously coached MLS' New York Red Bulls from 2015-18, earning coach of the year honours in 2015.

He left Leipzig to take over sister club Red Bull Salzburg as head coach in 2019. He led the Austrian team to successive league and cup doubles. Now, he is back in Germany, keen to continue his own development.

Marsch will face Matarazzo when Leipzig hosts Stuttgart on August 20.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment