Marsch the pundits’ choice would be perfect for Celtic
To be championed as a choice candidate for next Celtic manager by two heavy weight club figures would have been enough to peak interest in the backstory of American Jesse Marsch.
That the 47-year-old,currently helming FC Red Bull Salzburg, has not only had endorsements from Pat Bonner and John Collins but James Mcfadden as well in recent days is testament tom arsch’ s vertigo us trajectory in the European game.
Both Bonner, pictured, and Mcfadden spoke glowingly of the former US international on the back of being treated to his thoughts on the game and coaching at a Uefa Pro-licence course. Storied Celtic keeper of the 1980s and 1990s Bonner described him as a man “who thinks outside the box”, understands the motivations of the modern-day footballer, and judged him“a bit in the brendan Rodgers mould”. Mcfadden, meanwhile, was impressed by his ability to understand “the culture of the environment” the game placed hi mina this points. there was a more simplistic appeal for former Celtic midfielder Collins. A night at an field in october 2019, to be precise.
The first American to guide a team to a victory in the group stage soft he competition, defeat did not elude his team against Liverpool a year-and-a-halfago. However, the fact they recovered from a three-goal halftime deficit to draw level before a Mohamed Salah late winner proved a break-out night for Marsch. ““I thought ‘Wow!, that’s a good football coach,” said Collins of the transformative effect the Salzburg coach had on his team.
Marsch’s profile-sinceem bel-lished by a league and cup double at the Austrian club he took on over in June 2019, which he has every chance of replicating this season - rocketed postanfield courtesy of a rousing half-time address to his players that was delivered in partgerman, part-english and later went viral.
“How many fouls have we got? How many? Maybe two?” the 45-year-old began. “This is not a f*cking friendly! This is a f*cking Champions League match! We need to step up. There is too much respect for the opponent. Too much respect for the opponent! .... There is no real tackle or a fight. They have to feel us, guys. They have to know we're f*cking here to compete, not just that we're stylistically gonna try to play the same way. But we came to f*cking play, right? That is what' s most important ,” he barked before going to talk“a little bit about tactics”.
Marsch, in those moments, demonstrated he is a coach that understands the game is played with both heart and head. He combined both to grow his coaching career that might have withered after a first frontline post. That came with Montreal Impact in 2011 - which followed a short stint as assistant to the USA national team with Bob Bradley - and ended within a year with the team in a lowly 12th place.
Returning to a No 2 role at Princeton Tigers the following season, in 2015 he was then plugged in to the Red Bull sporting franchise, in which he remains, on being handed the coaching reins at their New York football operation. It was to the disgust of the club’s support, reeling from the loss of the idolised manager Mike Petke. A town hall-style meeting was organised weeks into his tenure to smooth the change, but it only betrayed the level of discontent.
“You don’ t have to like me and you may never like me. That is the role of the coach,” Marsch said at this rancorous gathering. “That isn’t important to me. What’s important to me is the team… If we lose, you will hate me. If we win, maybe you will put up with me. but give this team a chance to take the field and compete.”
They did compete, with bells on. Marsch, who has described himself as an “energy drink” for his forceful manmanagement and high-pressing on-pitch approach, ended up with a winning record that eclipsed any predecessor. That earned him the opportunity to further his development in football’ s crucible of the European game, and he was assistant to Ralf Rangnick at RB Leipzig for the 2018-19 season. The experience included experiencing a frenzied Celtic Park as the Germanswere beaten in the europa League by Rodgers’ Celtic at their best.
Another Red Bull shuffle resulted in him being installed as Salzburg manager, the dubious cross-pollination between the two clubs detested by fans of the austrian side for perceived feeder status. It meant Marsch again being confronted by enmity on taking up his new role, including a “get-out” banner. Now, those same followers fear he won’t stay, following 21 months when he has hit most marks with aplomb. Salzburg were successful before he pitched up, a product of the financial backing they can draw upon. Yet, what is laudable about Marsch is how he has kept them competitive with his “different approach” to“leading people” - even if, for very good reason, they haven’t been quite the force of last year for very good reason. that is because the downside to the Red Bull decision-making has meant that, as well as losing er ling braut ha al and and Takumi Min amino to the natural football order - the Norwegian wunderkind heading to Borussia Dortmund and his fellow attacker to Liverpool -in the past year, fellow franchisers Leipzig have also spiritedawayh wang he e-ch an and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Marsch would bean outstanding Celtic appointment, but may well be standing out too much for the Parkhead club to be in with a chance of landing him. He turned down Schalke in November - with the club in a freefall that will result in relegation - but is thought in line to take over Dortmund this summer. celtic could hold an appeal form arsch. just not one comparable to such an offer.