Marsch ready for reunion with ‘unique’ former Salzburg charge Haaland

When Jesse Marsch moved into the manager’s office at Elland Road last March, two Norwegians were at the front of the queue to congratulate him.

Marsch has been close to Erling Haaland and his father, the former Leeds midfielder Alf-Inge, since he coached the former at RB Salzburg but, for once, the American is not exactly looking forward to their latest reunion on Wednesday night.

His team’s sometimes vulnerable defense will certainly need to maintain maximum concentration when Haaland junior and his Manchester City teammates arrive in West Yorkshire as the curtain rises on Leeds’s first home match for 53 days.

“Erling texted me as soon as the schedule came out last summer and said he was most excited for the game here,” says Marsch. “I gave him permission to have a small hamstring injury for it!

“The time I had with Erling in Austria was outstanding. We had an incredible relationship and, when I got the job here, he and his father were incredibly supportive and excited for me. Erling was born in Leeds and his father has history in this city. Due to that, Erling has this club in his heart but I fear it will motivate him a little bit more against us.”

Marsch has become well accustomed to facing endless questions about how best to contain a striker who has not stopped scoring since joining City from Borussia Dortmund but, even equipped with his detailed inside knowledge, he accepts there are no easy answers.

“It will come down to luck in certain moments,” he admits. “Erling’s instincts are incredibly unique. Containing him involves a keen awareness of where he likes to be.”

Back in 2018, Haaland appeared keen on a return to his birthplace. The then Molde striker was invited to Leeds and toured the club’s facilities ahead of a potential transfer. Yet in a classic “sliding doors” moment the enticing prospect of one of Norway’s most famous exports working with Marsch’s predecessor, Marcelo Bielsa, was snatched away as directors quibbled over the £4m asking price and Salzburg stepped in.