‘Jesse Marsch doesn’t have the chops’ – Simon Jordan gives damning verdict on incoming Southampton manager as axed Leeds boss accepts Saints job

Incoming new Southampton manager Jesse Marsch is not good enough to coach in the Premier League and ‘doesn’t have the chops’ to keep the Saints in the division.

That’s according to talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan, who has delivered a damning assessment of the American coach who looks set to secure an immediate return to a top flight dugout.

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talkSPORT understands Marsch has verbally agreed to become the new Saints manager, succeeding Nathan Jones who was sacked from the St Mary’s helm on Sunday after just three months in charge.

Marsch himself was sacked by Leeds a little over a week ago, but is now set to sail straight into another Premier League job regardless of his recent departure.

The 47-year-old was axed by Leeds with the Yorkshire club just one place above the relegation zone, but he will join a club in an even worse state with Southampton currently rock-bottom of the league and four points from safety.

There’s also the added spice of the fact his second game in charge of the Saints, if he does indeed take over, will be against his old club Leeds… at Elland Road.

Marsch’s previous experience in the Red Bull group, having been head coach of RB Leipzig in Germany - like former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl - as well as of Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg, has reportedly worked in the American’s favour with Southampton’s owners.

But former Crystal Palace owner Jordan has questioned the south coast club’s move and, having said the same when he managed Leeds, insisted Marsch is not a Premier League-level coach.

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

“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 them 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.”