USMNT star Weston McKennie claims Leeds boss ‘didn’t know who I was’ during forgettable loan spell in the Premier League from Juventus

by n8rngtd.top · 12/16/2025

Weston McKennie has claimed that one of the managers he worked under during a loan spell at Leeds United “didn’t know who I was”.

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WHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international midfielder linked up with the Whites in the winter transfer window of 2023, with the decision taken to walk away from Serie A giants Juventus. He endured a tough time in England, with relegation suffered out of the Premier League.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

McKennie moved to Elland Road while fellow American Jesse Marsch was still in charge. He was sacked within a matter of days, as Michael Skubala inherited the reins on a caretaker basis. Javi Gracia then came and went in the space of 12 games, with Sam Allardyce seeing the 2022-23 campaign out.
WHAT THEY SAID

McKennie has told podcast of the issues that he experienced at Leeds – while stopping short of identifying the coach that appeared to be unaware of who he was and what his strengths were: “It kind of didn't help when I got there, I went there because of Jesse Marsch and then two weeks after I got there, he was sacked. I had four different managers in six months and I think one of my coaches honestly didn't know who I was. I'm not saying he should, but if a player is coming in on loan, you should know your squad. He put me outside of the box for corner kicks, and in my head I've scored 85% of my goals in my career off set-pieces and crosses.”

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

McKennie took in 20 appearances for Leeds, but failed to record a goal in any of them. He returned to Italy on the back of slipping out of the English top-flight and has worked his way back into favour with parent club Juventus.

WHAT HAPPENED?