Leeds United staff profiles

Written by Simon Austin — April 2, 2018

Pen pics of Leeds United's coaching, science, medicine, scouting and analytics staff. To see staff profiles for other clubs, click here.

DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

Victor Orta

Nationality: Spanish

Middlesbrough's chief scout for 18 months before leaving at the end of 2016/17. Previously at Seville (where he worked under the legendary Monchi), Zenit and Elche. Pivotal in bringing Bielsa to the club. Explained his philosophy in episode #7 of the TGG Podcast.

COACHING

HEAD COACH

Jesse Marsch

Nationality: American

Succeeded Marcelo Bielsa as Head Coach at the end of February. A product of the Red Bull system, having worked for their New York, Salzburg and Leipzig franchises. Won consecutive league and cup doubles with Austrian side Salzburg, although his time in Germany with Leipzig was short-lived and less successful and he was sacked after just four months.

ASSISTANT

Chris Armas

Nationality: American

Won 66 caps as a midfielder for the USA before embarking on a coaching career. Was assistant to Marsch at New York Red Bulls for three years and then replaced him as Head Coach in 2018. Dismissed in September 2020 and joined Toronto FC as Head Coach in January 2021, although that job lasted less than six months. Worked under Ralf Rangnick for half a season at Manchester United in 2021/22.

ASSISTANT

Rene Maric

Nationality: Croatian

Started his coaching career at TSU Handenberg at 17. Studied psychology and was one of main writers for Spielverlagerung, which opened doors into pro scouting and coaching. Youth coach and then assistant at Red Bull Salzburg before following boss Marco Rose to Borussia Monchengladbach and then Dortmund. Duo were sacked despite Dortmund finishing second in Bundesliga in 2021/22.

ASSISTANT

Cameron Toshack

Nationality: Welsh

Worked for Swansea City's Academy for six years, mainly as their U23s lead. Also managed Paphos in Cyprus for 10 months in 2019/20. Son of former Liverpool legend and Wales manager John Toshack.

ASSISTANT

Ewan Sharp

Nationality: Scottish

Joined in July 2022, having worked under Ralf Ragnick as a coach-analyst at Manchester United for half of the previous season. Has also worked at Lokomotiv Moscow and at New York Red Bulls, which is where he first teamed up with Marsch.

GOALKEEPER COACH

Marcos Abad

Nationality: Spanish

Worked with Orta at Boro for the last four months of 2016/17, having previously been with him at Elche, where he spent seven years. Had a "big offer from China" but instead chose Leeds, according to Orta.

CONSULTANT

Franz Schiemer

Nationality: Austrian

Was Marsch's assistant at Red Bull Salzburg before joining him at Leeds in February 2022. Switched to a consultancy role "from afar" at end of 2021/22 season.

MEDICAL & SCIENCE

HEAD OF MEDICAL & PERFORMANCE

Rob Price

Nationality: English

Held the same role at Hull City for five years, having previously worked with Liverpool and the Football Association. Responsible for getting the players physically prepared for Bielsa's notoriously demanding style of play.

HEAD FITNESS COACH AND PERFORMANCE ANALYST

Pierre Barrieu

Nationality: French

Joined in July 2022 from Toronto FC. Hugely experienced, having been a fitness coach for the US national team, LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, Swansea City, Sheffield Wednesday and Le Havre.

SPORT SCIENTIST

Tom Robinson

Nationality: English

A graduate of Leeds Beckett who joined the club as an intern in October 2011. Progressed to become a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Academy Sports Scientist before being promoted to the first team in June 2016.

FITNESS COACH

Ruben Crespo

Nationality: Spanish

Worked at Krasnodar in Russia for a year before joining Hull in July 2016, where he worked with Rob Price. Moved to Leeds at the same time as his boss.

HEAD PHYSIO

Henry McStay

Nationality: Irish

Joined the Thorp Arch team in August 2012 and promoted to the first team in November 2015. Became head physio when Steve Megson left shortly after Marcelo Bielsa's appointment.

MASSEUR

Paul Evans

Nationality: Welsh

Played more than 550 games as a pro and was capped by Wales. Experienced massage therapist who has also worked for Notts County, Derby and Leicester.

PERFORMANCE NUTRITIONIST

Andy Jenkinson

Nationality: English

Joined from Northampton Saints in October 2018.

RECRUITMENT

HEAD OF EURO RECRUITMENT

Gaby Ruiz

Nationality: Spanish

Close friend of Orta, with whom he worked at Elche and Boro. Well known in Spain as a TV pundit and the creator of PC Futbol, the country's equivalent of the Football Manager game.

SCOUT

Andrea Iore

Nationality: Belgian

First arrived at Elland Road in 2015 after meeting the Cellino family in Miami. Valued as an analyst under Garry Monk but moved into scouting under Orta.

SCOUT

Dani Salas

Nationality: Spanish

A recruit from Seville, where he worked with Orta.

SCOUT

Alex Davies

Nationality: English

At Elland Road for more than eight years. Started as Performance Analyst, promoted to head of department and then moved to scouting after Bielsa arrived.