Leeds: Marsch will take inspiration from Mother Teresa, John F Kennedy and Gandhi to help survive

Jesse Marsch says he will take inspiration from historical figures including Mother Teresa and John F. Kennedy as he looks to steer his struggling Leeds side to safety.

Whites winger Jack Harrison revealed his manager recited Indian nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi in his team talk before last Sunday’s defeat at Arsenal.

And Marsch has now explained he has a book containing ‘hundreds of quotes’ which he will use to motivate his players in the relegation run-in.

Jesse Marsch is using help from a whole host of famous names to inspire his Leeds squad 

Marsch says he has used quotes from Muhammad Ali (left) and JFK (right) to inspire his players

‘Inspiration is a big part of this job,’ said the American ahead of Wednesday night’s visit of Chelsea.

‘I have 52 articles, excerpts from books that I sometimes give players when individually I think they need something to motivate them.

‘Then I have hundreds of quotes that I uses at different moments. I try to think how it might fit in a scenario with where we are in a season, in a moment, in a time.

‘I love quotes. I love learning from people of the past, sports figures, historical figures.

‘The key is understanding exactly what messages to use at the right times so that players understand exactly how to handle moments.

‘Here we are in the stress of relegation, trying to stay strong with our belief, with our confidence, with our commitment, with our mentality.

Mother Teresa is another inspirational figure Leeds boss Marsch has called on for assistance

Marsch quoted Mahatma Gandhi before Leeds’ defeat away at Arsenal on Sunday afternoon

‘Just trying to find ways to motivate, inspire our collective mentality so that we have the best chance to manage the moments that we are in.’

Asked which specific sports and historical figures he admired as leaders, Marsch said: ‘I’ve used Muhammad Ali a few times with the group.

NBA legend Michael Jordan is another inspirational figure Marsch likes to quote

‘Michael Jordan is a guy I am inspired by. Phil Jackson. I’d start dating myself if I went back to Vince Lombardi and Johnny Unitas.

‘I’ve also used the 1998 French football team in the past. I’ve used the 2008 Road to Redemption, the (USA basketball) gold medal team in China.

‘Then there are also historical figures, like Gandhi, like Mother Teresa, like Presidents, like JFK.

‘Different people along the way that I think have meant something to where we are historically in the world right now.

‘I like to read about those things. I like leadership books. I was a history major at university.’