Bamford’s return was carefully planned and he was an unused substitute against Leicester before making a comeback. When the final replacement was made at the King Power Stadium, Marsch turned to his player and told him he would be coming on in the next game. A small touch but an example of Marsch the communicator.  

There are less meetings for players to attend. Bielsa would have team and individual meetings, while Marsch’s communication is about getting his point across clearly and concisely. He talks about the intelligence and fearlessness of young men and he gives the impression of guiding them in the right direction rather than mirco-managing every move. 

He talks about his father, who worked on the assembly line of a tractor factory, having the best work-life balance he knows, and it is something he takes into his coaching. “I know how to work hard but also to appreciate the people around me,” he said. 

The running stats for the wins over Norwich and Wolves shows that he has made an impact in his month in the job. Despite the change in training methods, numbers are said to be good. They have games coming up against Southampton and Watford which look winnable, giving Leeds the chance to edge to safety.  

With Kalvin Phillips also coming back from injury soon, there is plenty to build on from Marsch’s first month. 

Tottenham keeping tabs on Jack Harrison and Sam Johnstone

Tottenham have an interest in signing Leeds United winger Jack Harrison during the summer window after attempting to land him in January. 

The 25-year-old was the subject of an enquiry two months ago but there was no consideration of selling from Leeds, with Spurs moving onto their priorities in other positions and landing Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski.

Harrison was seen as a player who could play for Antonio Conte as a left wing-back as well as a forward in the Italian’s 3-4-3 system, having impressed in his first two seasons in the Premier League during which time his loan from Manchester City was turned into a £11million deal.  

Spurs retain an interest in landing Harrison when the window opens in the summer and Conte will look to strengthen his squad again, with their final targets and budgets likely to be determined by whether they qualify for European football. 

It is understood that Fabio Paratici has been alerted to Harrison by Andrea Pirlo, who worked with the Spurs director of football while they were both at Juventus. Pirlo was a team-mate of Harrison at New York City after the Stoke-born winger graduated from Wake Forest Demon Deacons in America. 

Harrison was a Manchester City player from 2018 until last summer but was loaned out to Middlesbrough and then Leeds before helping them get promoted from the Championship and seeing his deal turned permanent. 

He has scored seven goals this season, including in the match against Wolves before the international break when Leeds came from two behind to win and take a huge stride towards Premier League safety. 

Spurs are also among the teams who have looked at England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as a potential free transfer in the summer. 

The West Bromwich Albion keeper is out of contract in three months and has attracted interest from Premier League clubs who can sign him without paying a transfer fee.