Some at Leeds United were ‘staggered’ that Premier League relegation rivals Southampton and Leicester City wanted to hire Jesse Marsch following his sacking at Elland Road in February.
That is according to The Athletic; Marsch saving Leeds from the drop on the final day of last season serving to paper over the rather cavernous cracks that appeared almost from the very first day of his West Yorkshire tenure.
The Wisconsin-born coach was fired by Leeds following a dismal run of two wins in 17 Premier League games.
That did not stop both Southampton and Leicester City from holding talks with Jesse Marsch’s camp in the aftermath. Perhaps in the hope that the former RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg coach could do in 2023 what he did in 2022 and spark a dramatic – if not entirely convincing – escape from the dreaded drop zone.
Southampton and Leicester City held talks with Jesse Marsch
Marsch still lives in nearby Harrogate and is understood to be keen on taking another Premier League job. Talks with Southampton broke down following the departure of Nathan Jones, however. Reportedly due to divisions over the length of his contract (The Guardian).
Leicester showed an interest too, before hiring Dean Smith on a short-term deal. The Athletic say that Marsch had negotiations with Jon Rudkin, the Foxes’ director of football.
The reaction from inside Leeds, when learning that Marsch had admirers at Premier League rivals, was one of, ahem, surprise. And that’s to put it politely. The Athletic use the word ‘staggered’
Like during his ill-fated spell at Bundesliga giants Leipzig, Marsch’s rather one-dimensional approach quickly ran out of steam at Leeds. The complex possession-and-pressing style introduced by Marcelo Bielsa and Julian Nagelsmann soon descending into something critics may label – with some justification – merely ‘kick and rush football’.
All perspiration, very little inspiration.
Marsch still without a job three months after Leeds exit
Simon Jordan, who spent a decade at the helm of Crystal Palace, believes the interest in Marsch from St Mary’s and the King Power was borne out of necessity more than anything else.
“I don’t like that appointment,” Jordan told talkSPORT three months ago. “I don’t think it’s a great one for Southampton. But I also feel there is a situation where these clubs are struggling to get a manager in the door. It becomes the best of a bad bunch.
“These are Premier League clubs looking at the trap door of the Championship. Where (managerial candidates) are not looking at them with the same feeling as people maybe think they should.
“I don’t think it’s a case of these clubs aren’t trying to get the managers they want. I’d be gobsmacked if Jesse Marsch was top of Southampton’s list. (But) he may be top of their list in terms of one they can get done.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
