Pleasantries were not exactly exchanged as Bruno Lage and Jesse Marsch approached one another on the touch-line following the full time whistle in Leeds United’s 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday.
Bruno Lage said: “I have nothing against the manager. They won, absolutely great, but there was a point in the first half when I heard something I didn’t like and I said to him, and after when you come in the end to apologise, I just said you cannot say that. There are some things in my opinion you cannot say. I just said and after that I didn’t listen. Afterwards, I congratulate the manager, and his team and the fans, because we lived in an amazing moment, good atmosphere and to play the game we wanted to play. It was between us. Nothing to be talked about, but just to give my opinion about it and what I said. There are some things in my opinion that you cannot say, but we move on. I know everyone saw the image. Afterwards, I pass through some things and I compliment the staff and then go inside, nothing wrong with that. One more time, congratulations to Leeds, and to his players, and to the manager because they won the game.”
Marsch himself, who helped to keep Leeds in the division by the skin of their teeth last season, played down the confrontation and already sees it as water under the bridge.
Jesse March said: “It’s normal in some ways. I respect Bruno a lot, he does a great job with his team. There’s no problem. You can go back to the game at Wolves last year! There’s a lot of emotion in these moments. I wanted to be respectful afterwards, but it didn’t quite go that way. I’m okay, and I think he’s okay too.”
Pushed on what Marsch had said, Lage stayed schtum.
Bruno lage said: “It’s between us. Nothing to be talked about. I give my opinion about that and what I said because I think we have a good image. There are some things that we, in my opinion, cannot say and to move on. So, guys, don’t make a case on that and I know everyone watched the image. After, I passed through some staff and I compliment the staff, I go inside, nothing wrong with it. Very happy with my performance here and happy with the result. And one more time: congratulations for Leeds, for his players, for the manager and for the fans because they won the game.”