Leeds United: Jesse Marsch sacked after less than a year in charge

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Leeds manager Jesse Marsch has been sacked after less than a year in charge.

Leeds lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, their seventh Premier League game without a win.

They are 17th in the table - above the relegation zone only on goal difference - and last won in the league on 5 November.

Leeds finished 17th last season after American Marsch succeeded Marcelo Bielsa in February.

A club statement read: "We would like to thank Jesse and his backroom staff for their efforts and wish them well for the future.

"The process of appointing a new head coach is under way and we will continue to keep supporters up to date throughout the coming days."

Coaches Rene Maric, Cameron Toshack and Pierre Barrieu have also been sacked.

Leeds play Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday and again at Elland Road on Sunday.

Coaches Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas, who was appointed as Marsch's assistant just last week, will take charge of the team for Wednesday's match in Manchester.

Marsch's side won only four of their 20 league matches this season, with six draws and 10 defeats.

Defeat by Nottingham Forest in his final match in charge left him with a 25% win-rate after 32 Premier League games as Leeds boss.

A former coach of RB Leipzig, New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Salzburg, he took over with Leeds 16th in the table.

They avoided relegation to the Championship thanks to a 2-1 win at Brentford on the final day of last season.

Marsch unable to push on after securing top-flight safety
Leeds have struggled again this season in the league, with their only top-flight success away from home this season coming at Anfield in October.

The win looked like it could be a catalyst for Marsch to build on and, after beating Bournemouth 4-3 at home a week later, Leeds moved up to 12th in the table.

But since then defeats by Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Forest, plus draws with Newcastle, West Ham and Brentford, have left the club fearing relegation once again.

While their league form has been disappointing, Leeds have progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup and will face either Fulham or Sunderland away at the end of the month.

Speaking after the Forest result, where his side had good chances in the first half to take the lead, Marsch said it was hard for him to accept the position the club finds itself in.

He added: "We are struggling to turn performances into results. We have been in this place for a while. It's frustrating.

Marsch unable to take Leeds to the next level - analysis
Adam Pope, BBC Radio Leeds