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Jesse Marsch to revel in Leeds relegation after Southampton agree new manager appointment

Former Leeds Utd manager Jesse Marsch

Jesse Marsch has agreed to become the next Southampton manager and when he’ll take charge has been suggested, while one pundit has claimed the American will love nothing more than to send former employers Leeds United down.

Both the Saints and Whites sacked their managers in February with both clubs feeling a change was required to halt the slide towards relegation.

Leeds recently confirmed interim boss Michael Skubala will continue in his position “for the club’s upcoming fixtures”. That comes on the back of several rejections from the likes of Carlos Corberan, Arne Slot and Alfred Schreuder.

Nathan Jones, meanwhile, was axed after just 14 ill-fated games in charge. But while Leeds’ new manager hunt is faltering, Southampton appear set to announce Marsch as their new boss in the coming days.

talkSPORT reported Marsch had verbally agreed to take the Saints role on Tuesday. The Guardian take it a step further, categorically stating the 49-year-old ‘agrees to succeed Jones as Southampton manager’.

Southampton reportedly believe Marsch can galvanise a Saints squad low on confidence. They’re also hopeful he’ll be able to implement the high intensity and front-foot style he deployed at Elland Road without hesitation.

Southampton are currently rock bottom in the Premier League, though the gap to safety is just four points. Leeds are the team currently residing in 17th.

The Guardian’s report concluded Marsch could be appointed in time to be in the dugout for Southampton’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The initial expectation was interim boss Rubén Sellés would lead the side against Chelsea, but Marsch may be appointed in time to take the reins in the 3pm kick-off.

Jesse Marsch will revel in Leeds relegation – pundit

Southampton may believe Marsch is the right man to lead them to safety, though that’s not a view shared by talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan.

The former Crystal Palace owner delivered a brutal assessment of Marsch’s abilities as a top flight Premier League manager.

Jordan also claimed that while he’ll publicly deny it, Marsch will privately love nothing more than guiding the Saints to safety at Leeds’ expense and relegating his former employers in the process.

“I don’t think he’s got the chops,” said Jordan.

“I can’t see the case [for Marsch getting another Premier League job]. I can’t suggest that I don’t think he’s capable of managing Leeds United but that he’s capable of managing Southampton.

“I don’t think he’s a good enough manager. I think he’s all style over substance and I don’t think the style is that great and I think the substance is lacking.

“The circumstances around this one are energising for Jesse Marsch, because there will be no greater motivation to prove his ability than going against a side that booted him out and relegating them.

“He’ll say that’s not the case because he loves Leeds United and it’s just wonderful to get the opportunity, but how much satisfaction would he get if he was to get Southampton out of the relegation zone and put Leeds back into it?

“But there is an absolute dearth of top quality managers around who look like they can manage in the Premier League, and so you can look at this and say it’s the best of a bad bunch.”

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