Jesse Marsch had a number of job offers on the table immediately after his exit from Leeds United.
Marsch was sacked in February by former owner Andrea Radrizzani after a run of just two wins in 18 matches, a decision he still believes was the wrong one.
Southampton and Leicester City – who both were relegated alongside Leeds last season – were interested in appointing him after the respective departures of Nathan Jones and Brendan Rodgers.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Marsch has revealed that he came close to taking both jobs, but for different reasons, opted against it in the end.
However, it is the decision to turn down Leicester which he regrets the most, stating that ‘in hindsight’, he should have taken that job having been ‘incredibly close’ to doing so.
Marsch still without a job since Leeds exit
He said: “[The] Southampton [offer], it was right after Leeds. Literally days. I was very serious about it. I could see internally they had a few different ideas on the direction they were moving forward… but wonderful people.
“Leicester I was incredibly close to taking but in the end I just felt that I wasn’t ready to jump back in. In hindsight I think it’s a wonderful club and a great place and maybe if my mindset had been in a different place I could have – and should – have maybe taken that job.”
It certainly would’ve been interesting what sort of impact Marsch would’ve had at either of those clubs had he taken over, given he arrived at Leeds at a similar time 12 months earlier.
Marsch has also been linked with a number of other vacancies since leaving Leeds, with Celtic, AS Monaco and even the USMNT all having had an interest in his services.
However, for whatever reason nothing has yet materialised and it is now coming up to a year from his Elland Road departure. Leeds fans will certainly watch on with interest how he gets on, should he take another job.
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