Steven Gerrard on respect and admiration he has for new Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard says he has great respect and admiration for new Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch and believes that Villa will see the ‘best version’ of Leeds when the two face off on Thursday evening.

Whilst Marsch will be an unknown name to many in the Premier League, the former Liverpool captain does have his own personal history with him, albeit a very small chunk.

Following the end of his playing career in England, Gerrard moved to the United States to enjoy a year playing in the MLS with LA Galaxy.

In that same time period Marsch was Head Coach of fellow MLS side, New York Red Bulls and Gerrard says it was obvious how good of a coach he was, even then.

Speaking ahead of the two facing off as manager’s for the first time, the Villa boss had nothing but kind words to say about the new Leeds man.

“I used to really admire his style in the MLS, he was a manager that had an identity and a way of playing,” Gerrard explained.

“You could see clearly he was a good coach, he implemented the style really well with New York Red Bulls, they were probably the best footballing team on the eye in the MLS.

“Obviously he’s got big jobs on the back of that style and the job he did with the MLS, as a manager.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him and I’m looking forward to going to to toe with him. But it’s very much about the players on what they bring to the game.

“We’re going into the match in a good place but with big respect to the opposition. In this league when a new manager comes in you have to be ready for that bounce.

“I think we should see the best version of Leeds tomorrow.“

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