Jesse Marsch is the leading candidate to take on a vacancy left unfilled after Jurgen Klinsmann’s sacking earlier in February, 14 months after the American left Leeds United.
The American manager has been without work ever since he left Elland Road in February 2023. He left Leeds after only a year in the dugout following the controversial decision to sack legend Marcelo Bielsa.
Albeit a difficult man to follow in Bielsa, Marsch made hard work of keeping Leeds in the Premier League in his first few months. He needed a win on the final day of 2022-23 at Brentford to keep The Whites up.
Jack Harrison and Raphinha scored to save Leeds and it saw the board back Marsch last summer. But his signings, including former players Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen all struggle in Yorkshire.
After just 11 wins in 37 games, he was sacked by Leeds and has been out of work since. That is despite links to Leicester and Southampton at the end of last season and then the US Men’s National Team job.
But nothing has convinced Marsch, or vice versa as of yet. Now a report from South Korean outlet Sports Chosun claims Marsch is closing in on a move to take over as South Korea manager in the coming weeks.
Here are the details of the South Korean report, below:
Marsch a leading candidate for South Korea after Leeds exit
The report states that Marsch has held interviews with the Korea Football Federation in England and is the leading contender to replace Klinsmann. The latter was sacked after a poor showing at The Asian Cup.
Son Heung-min’s side reached the semi-finals but lost to Jordan in a competition they were expected to win, or at least get to the final. Klinsmann came in for criticism for his tactics during the poor campaign.
South Korea have chosen to go somewhat similar in that Klinsmann has managed USA previously. Marsch has no experience in international football as a manager. He has also been offered the Canada job.
Marsch was also down to last three for English club’s vacancy
Birmingham City hired Tony Mowbray after the sacking of Wayne Rooney. Mowbray has since left due to his health with Gary Rowett going at The Midlands club, but it could have been Marsch in the dugout.
Marsch was one of three candidates to take over at Birmingham alongside Mowbray and former Leeds manager Paul Heckingbottom. But it appears that Marsch is now to return as a National Team manager.
Given the players at his disposal including Spurs skipper Son and Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, there is potential for Marsch to shine if he does take the South Korea job but nothing is decided yet.
