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
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.
ANALYSIS
HEAD OF ANALYSIS
Guillermo Alonso

Nationality: Spanish
Worked with Orta at Middlesbrough for a year - and exited with him in May 2017. The Spaniard brought his compatriot on board with him at Elland Road.
ANALYST
Jorge Garcia

Nationality: Spanish
Worked with Atletico Madrid women's team for a year before joining Leeds in September 2017.