Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has got ‘an unbelievable footballing brain’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 48-year-old replaced the extremely popular Marcelo Bielsa after he was relieved of his duties following a run of five defeats in six games and claimed a vital three points last time out.

What is the latest news involving Marsch?

Disappointing losses to both Leicester City and Aston Villa marked Marsch’s opening two fixtures at the helm, increasing the relegation fears around Elland Road.

However, Joe Gelhardt’s 90+4^th minute winner against Norwich City over the weekend secured Leeds’s first victory since 16 January and moved them four points clear of the relegation zone.

That result has bought the highly-respected Marsch more time to succeed with the west Yorkshire outfit after arriving with a sizeable reputation.

The American has spent a large portion of his managerial career within the network of Red Bull clubs, first taking charge of New York for three years in 2015 before becoming Ralf Rangnick’s assistant manager at Leipzig for a season in 2018.

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Marsch then took charge of Austrian giants Salzburg the following year, adding two domestic doubles to the Supporters Shield he claimed during his time in his homeland.

But Marsch was unable to replicate this success when he was named Leipzig’s head coach last summer and was sacked after winning just five of his 14 Bundesliga games at the helm, leaving the German outfit in 11^th position.

What has Jones said about Marsch?

Despite his unsuccessful stint with Leipzig, Marsch’s reputation as an astute tactician has remained intact, with his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation, vertical play and high pressing winning many plaudits.

And Jones believes he has ‘probably been thrown into a job of this profile’ earlier than a lot of other managers would have been.

He told GiveMeSport: “Jesse Marsch has got an unbelievable footballing brain. He's probably been thrown into a job of this profile, at a difficult moment in the season, sooner than a lot of other bosses would have been given a similar opportunity.”

Can Leeds avoid relegation?

Sunday’s victory over rock-bottom Norwich could prove to be pivotal in Leeds’s mission to secure a third successive season in the Premier League.

The fact that 17^th-placed Everton have three games in hand over them and that 19^th-placed Burnley have played two fewer games will be a concern, as will their fixture list.

Between now and the end of the season, Leeds still have to play the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, meaning avoiding the drop is set to be an extremely difficult task.