Former USA international Charlie Davies is backing Jesse Marsch to take over at Southampton just one week after his sacking by Premier League relegation rivals Leeds United, speaking on the In Soccer We Trust podcast.
What does Marsch have to lose, really?
If he takes over on the South Coast and the Saints still go down, the 49-year-old can lay the blame squarely on the doorstep of his predecessors; Ralph Hasenhuttl and Nathan Jones having accumulated just four wins in 22 games between them from August to mid-February.
But if Marsch sparks a turnaround – like he did when replacing Marcelo Bielsa at a seemingly-doomed Leeds side 12 months ago – then the former RB Leipzig boss will have built up a reputation for himself as something of a ‘survival specialist’.
At least, that is according to one-time USA striker Davies.
Jesse Marsch is about to swap Leeds United for Southampton
“Let’s just put it this way; You’re sitting at the bottom of the Premier League with 15 points. How many people actually think he can save this club? It’s almost as if, if you don’t do it, you weren’t expected to do it,” says the ex-DC United forward.
“But if you do do it, I think there’s a lot of upside. You might be known as that manager that can just save clubs from relegation. Any time clubs are in a situation like this, they’re like; ‘Hey, Jesse Marsch. We’ve got to hire him. We know he can get the best out of these players in a short space of time’.”
“I think it’s a job you take. If you rise above it and take Southampton out (of the relegation zone), you’re a legend.”
According to The Guardian, Marsch has agreed to take over at St Mary’s; becoming Southampton’s third head coach this season alone. Davies believes that Marsch’s ability to get the best out of talented youngsters – a la Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville at Elland Road- should benefit a Saints side renowned for their youth development.
Southampton’s third manager of the season
“He does really well with youth. And Southampton has one of the best youth academies in the world,” Davies adds, albeit while suggesting that Marsch would benefit from adding a more possession-based approach to his hard-pressing game.
“The teams that played (Marsch’s New York) Red Bulls would drop, sit, and counter. Every time. If Red Bulls were not fortunate to get that early goal, then they struggled.
“They weren’t a team who kept the ball. We (as USA fans) want to see a team that’s dynamic, that keeps the ball, and knows how to dominate possession, that is attractive to watch.
“I don’t think (Marsch) has to be tied to that system. I think it’s time where you realise; ‘I like bits and pieces of this philosophy’. But maybe this is where you try to grow as a manager.”
Southampton are bottom of the Premier League with just 15 points to their name. Leeds, meanwhile, are three places and four points better off.
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