In the summer, Jesse Marsch was considered the “dream coach “ of RB Leipzig. Five months later, those responsible at the Saxons have to admit that the experiment has failed: the gap left by Julian Nagelsmann could not be filled by Marsch and his staff.
When Jesse Marsch was presented as RB Leipzig’s new coach last July, Oliver Mintzlaff was delighted with the signing of the US American. “We are totally happy that we were able to sign our dream coach,” said the Saxons’ managing director at the time.
Five months later, RB is no longer happy – and the coach of choice is already history. 18 points after 14 games, the dwindling chances of achieving the declared goal of a Champions League place, the recent series of three defeats in a row and, above all, the desolate performance at Union Berlin have persuaded those responsible to relieve Marsch of his duties. From the point of view of the club’s leaders, there are understandable arguments for their action. The approachable and likeable Marsch has not been able to lead a team that is no worse than current third-placed Leverkusen to anywhere near its performance limit in his six months in charge.
Team often gave the impression of meandering between playing styles
Lined up to play uncompromising RB switch football with dedicated pressing again, Marsch got no stability in his team. In between there were highlight games like a 6:0 against Hertha BSC, a 2:1 against Borussia Dortmund or the 5:0 in the Champions League in Bruges. But the team, conditioned in the two years under Julian Nagelsmann to more possession, often gave the impression of meandering between styles of play. Pressing and counter-pressing did not always seem well orchestrated, and the counter-attacks were poorly secured. With the lack of results, the players also lost faith that they could be successful in this constellation.
One can certainly argue in favour of the US American that he was missing Dani Olmo, who was badly strained by his participation in the European Championships and the Olympics and subsequently almost permanently injured. Also that the recent Corona infections among coaches and players were not exactly conducive to performance. But recent performances in Hoffenheim, against Leverkusen and in Berlin left little room for confidence that Marsch can still get the team on track.
A sporting director would be helpful – and is said to have already been found
His leave of absence, however, is also an admission that the experiment with the 48-year-old has failed. In retrospect, it became clear that Julian Nagelsmann, who left for FC Bayern, left a gap in Leipzig that could not be filled in the constellation with Marsch and his staff. The club’s leaders have to ask themselves whether Marsch’s idea of the game and a team that has made significant progress in terms of possession under Nagelsmann were still compatible. In Friday’s defeat at Union, for example, it became apparent once again that a penalty area striker like André Silva is too often not brought into play. This is due to the way the team plays, but also to the composition of the squad – for which Marsch is not primarily responsible. This affects RB’s management level. A sports director would be helpful. This is said to have already been found.
A new era is now beginning again in Leipzig. After 2019, when Nagelsmann took over and the Ralf Rangnick era ended, and 2021, when Marsch succeeded Nagelsmann, the third within two and a half years. Whether it will last longer remains to be seen.
