Leeds United news: Jesse Marsch expects to stay with Yorkshire side if they're relegated

Sean Fisher
20 May 2022

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch applauds the fans after defeat in the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Saturday March 5, 2022.

Leeds United's two-year stay in the Premier League could come to an end on Sunday, should relegation rivals Burnley win against Newcastle.

After three months in charge at Elland Road, Jesse Marsch finds his Leeds United side on the brink of relegation, with their top-flight fate out of their hands.

As a result, Leeds will have to rely on Burnley slipping up against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, while they themselves have to pick up points on their visit to Brentford.

They head into the final day of the Premier League level on points with Burnley, but sit one place below the Clarets due to their inferior goal difference.

🔢 @LUFC take on Brentford in the @premierleague this weekend.

We've compared the 21/22 stats of Mathias Jensen and Kalvin Phillips ahead of the game. #LUFC #MOT @WeAre_LCB pic.twitter.com/zFDACFuc7f
— Leeds United StatZone (@lufcsz) May 20, 2022

With their survival out of their hands, there's every chance that Leeds could join Watford and Norwich City in the Championship next season, but Marsch understands that the club will keep faith with his management even if they do face the drop.

Speaking on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday's clash, Marsch said "I'm still planning to be here even in relegation. It's a long-term project and the club committed to me in that way.

"The connections we have made mesh well together. The support from everyone has been amazing, but I'm not thinking about the long-term project, only about Sunday and preparing for that."

Marsch enjoyed a strong start to life at Leeds, but injury problems mixed with defensive issues mean the Yorkshire side have failed to win in their last five Premier League matches.

In contrast, Brentford have won three of their last five and will know that a win on the final day could see them finish in the top half of the table in their debut campaign in the top flight.

💬 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆: “We know we have to be at our best. We want to be aggressive, we want to win. If we win, we give ourselves the best chance.” pic.twitter.com/PizPxWyd5o
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 20, 2022

But while Leeds travel to London as underdogs, Marsch's side will be boosted by the return of Patrick Bamford, with the striker having recovered from a foot injury he suffered back in March.

A draw could be enough for Leeds to survive, should Burnley lose to Newcastle at Turf Moor. Kick-off for all Premier League games is scheduled for 16:00 BST, and all possible permutations on the final day can be viewed below...