Ian Harte exclusive: Leeds right to sack Marsch - but letting Llorente leave...?

 


Leeds United hero Ian Harte says the dismissal of Jesse Marsch was the right call this week.

Marsch was sacked after defeat to Nottingham Forest, with Leeds installing a caretaker team as chairman Andrea Radrizzani and sporting director Victor Orta now seek a replacement.

Michael Skubala and co guided Leeds to an impressive 2-2 draw at Manchester United last night and Harte believes removing Marsch will prove the correct decision.

Speaking on behalf of Bookmakers, Harte told Tribalfootball.com: "I think it probably was the right decision. The results over the last few months haven't been great. I think performances have been okay, especially the one against Aston Villa.

"Probably should have got something out of that game, ended up losing it. So probably it's just come to the point where the owners have probably thought we need to act now before it is too late.

"I think they've played quite well in games but this game, it's all about results and it's all about survival in the Premier League and so it probably was the right decision."

As for the identity of the new man, Harte says going abroad for the next manager will bring risks. Given Leeds' current situation, the Irishman argues that immediate results will be crucial in the survival battle.

He continued: "I think a new manager coming in from abroad is going to it's going to need time, obviously Spanish football compared to English football is completely different, and Leeds don't have time at the moment to waste.

"They need to start getting results of course we know the next two games starting with tonight away at Manchester United, you want a reaction from the players, you want them going out there to try and get anything out of that game. I want to see them putting the bodies on the line, wearing that shirt with pride. They haven't done it in recent games, but they need to start doing it."

While supportive of Marsch's axing, Harte is questioning the decision by management to allow Diego Llorente to leave in January. The Spain defender departed Leeds for Roma, where his loan deal includes a permanent option.

Harte added: "He's played a few games I don't think he's played many games, but yeah, it's a bit of a strange one because he just signed a new deal and then obviously, he's gone to I think Roma on loan.

"But that decision obviously that the club will talk about in-house, and fans will just have to accept it."

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