In a shock turn of events, Premier League strugglers Southampton are on the verge of appointing former Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch as their new manager, just a week after he was sacked by the club’s fellow relegation candidates.
The Yorkshire side parted ways with the US coach last Monday following a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, leaving Leeds without a Premier League win since the 5th November, and currently sitting 17th, only out of the relegation zone by a single point.
Six days later, Southampton parted ways with divisive manager Nathan Jones following a three month spell in charge, which had yielded just one Premier League win (against Everton), and had seen them remain rooted to the bottom of the top-flight, four points behind Leeds United and safety.
(Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images) 2M5F4H4 Jesse Marsch Manager of Leeds United gives his team instructions during the Premier League match Leeds United vs Manchester City at Elland Road, Leeds, United Kingdom, 28th December 2022
(Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images) (Alamy Stock Photo)
And, in a bizarre twist, it appears that the Saints are ready to hand Marsch another Premier League job just a week after losing his last, with the Athletic reporting that a deal is on the verge of being struck to make him the new man in the St Mary’s hotseat.
“The club have considered it crucial to act fast and decisively in their search, and want a new manager installed before their next match against Chelsea on February 18”, they report, while Marsch has beaten the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard (both considered) to the role.
It will come as a surprise to Leeds fans, who had branded Marsch ‘Yank Frank’ for his tactical inability, and though he kept them in the Premier League on the final day of the season there was little love for the man who replaced Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.
