Jesse Marsch leaves behind an unwanted legacy at Leeds United as he holds the second-worst win rate of any previous manager in the Premier League, making him.
A 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest sealed his fate over the weekend, meaning he had departed Elland Road with a worse record than disaster appointments like Terry Venables and Peter Reid.
For now, the Yorkshire giants will move forward with U21 head coach Michael Skubala in the dugout as caretaker and he begins his stint with a trip to Old Trafford to face a resurgent Manchester United tonight.
He’s had little time to make many changes on the training pitch, so it’ll be interesting to see what sort of side he selects this evening. Here’s what we are predicting…
There could be as many as four changes from the weekend, though the interim boss has hinted at some “bumps and bruises” among the squad.
Between the sticks, Illan Meslier is set to remain but Skubala could make the bold call to axe club captain Liam Cooper with Robin Koch available after suspension.
Junior Firpo could also be handed a rare start as a natural left-back over Pascal Struijk, meaning the two incomers feature alongside vice-skipper Luke Ayling and winter signing Max Wober.
In midfield, there could be a full debut for Weston McKennie as his introduction from the bench at the City Ground sparked a little bit of life into Leeds’ play and he could partner both Marc Roca and Tyler Adams in a three-man engine room.
It would see Luis Sinisterra and Wilfried Gnonto continue out wide. Rodrigo is out long-term with an injury and Brenden Aaronson has been poor for many weeks, so there is no room for a no.10, which also means Jack Harrison makes way to accommodate McKennie’s involvement.
Meanwhile, Skubala could even opt for club-record signing Georginio Rutter to lead the line over Patrick Bamford after the £70k-per-week forward was hooked just after the hour mark last time out.
AND in other news, “He’s done bits” – McGilligan excited after hearing “revolutionary” boss could end up at Leeds…