Jesse Marsch Set to Take Southampton Job After Leeds Dismissal, per Report

Just one week after being fired by Leeds United, Jesse Marsch has reportedly found himself back in the Premier League. 

According to The Athletic, Southampton is set to name the American coach as its new manager, bringing in the former Red Bull-system coach’s high-pressing style as it looks to avoid relegation from the Premier League. The move also comes at a time when Marsch was widely considered as one of the frontrunners for the U.S. men’s national team managerial position.

Barring a change of heart, Marsch will be the club’s third manager this season after Ralph Hasenhüttl and Nathan Jones, who became the club’s shortest-tenured coach when he was fired Sunday after just three months after winning only one of eight Premier League matches. 

The former MLS midfielder and coach will have a monumental task ahead of him with Southampton currently in last place on 15 points from 22 matches, four points removed from safety. Sitting in the first spot outside of the relegation zone is Leeds, Marsch’s former side that he will now be tasked with tracking down if Southampton wants to avoid relegation. 

Despite spending more than $150 million over the last year to bolster Marsch’s squad, which included a winter loan move for U.S. men’s national team star Weston McKennie from Juventus, Leeds fired the 49-year-old manager on Feb. 6 less than a year into his tenure. 

After helping Leeds avoid relegation with a late-season push last year, Marsch had led the club to only four wins this year—none of which had come since the post-World Cup restart. Leeds has yet to appoint a replacement for Marsch. 

Marsch will face Chelsea in his first match in charge of Southampton before a meeting with Leeds next week.