Jesse Marsch tips Patrick Vieira to become an ‘INCREDIBLE manager’ as his Leeds side prepare to take on Crystal Palace… with the Eagles boss already in the Premier League Hall of Fame for his playing career
- Leeds are set to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday night
- This will see Jesse Marsch and Patrick Vieira up against each other in the dugout
- Marsch believes Vieira will go on and have a very successful managerial career
- Vieira was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame as a player last month
Jesse Marsch has tipped his former MLS arch-rival Patrick Vieira to become a Premier League great as a manager — just like he was as a player.
The Leeds boss admits he used to ‘hate’ Crystal Palace chief Vieira when they came up against each other in America as the respective coaches of New York Red Bulls and New York City.
But ahead of their Selhurst Park reunion tonight, Marsch congratulated the former Arsenal captain on being inducted into the Premier League’s hall of fame, and added: ‘I don’t know if you can be inducted as a manager as well, but I think he can be an incredible manager in this league for years.
Jesse Marsch has made a largely positive start since becoming Leeds manager in February
Marsch has now backed Patrick Vieira to have a long, successful career in management
‘I was really happy to see him in the Premier League because I think it’s where he belongs.
‘When he came to MLS, we were all excited to have somebody of his stature in the league. Then, when he came to New York City, it meant I had to hate him! But he’s not an easy guy to hate because he’s a very good coach. We had some heated moments when we were in New York together but over time we grew to really respect each other.’
Marsch’s Leeds head into tonight’s match just four points clear of the relegation zone. But they have improved since the arrival of their American coach in February, winning three of their last four unbeaten games, and will move just one point behind Palace with a win.
Vieira was recently inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame for his playing career
Marsch has revealed Kalvin Phillips will start against Crystal Palace on Monday night
Marsch has confirmed he will start England midfielder Kalvin Phillips tonight for the first time since he injured his hamstring December. He will come head-to-head with Conor Gallagher, who could rival the Leeds talisman for a World Cup place after making three international appearances this season.
But Vieira has played down the significance of the midfield battle.
‘I don’t think the England manager will make his decision based on one game,’ he said. ‘He knows what he can get from Phillips. Conor is getting there, and has been really good for us this season.
‘These six games will be massively important and Conor has to keep that level of performance to have a chance of making the national team.’
Phillips is set to go up against England team-mate Conor Gallagher (pictured) in midfield
