Marsch really wanted Leeds to sign Hwang in January – journalist

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Phil Hay has told The Athletic Football Podcast that Jesse Marsch was very keen to sign Hwang Hee-chan during the January transfer window, but the Leeds United board were not convinced about a move for the Wolves forward.

Marsch’s time at Elland Road came to an end earlier this week after a turbulent spell. For some, the timing was a little strange due to the fact that Leeds were one of the busier sides in the January transfer window.

The Whites made three first-team signings. And one of those involved Leeds breaking their club-record to sign Georginio Rutter. The forward has come in to provide cover and competition for Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo.

Marsch wanted Leeds to sign Hwang in January

Rutter is an unproven talent in the Premier League. And it seems to be something of a gamble. But he is certainly an exciting signing. And Leeds fans will probably be pleased that he arrived ahead of some of the other names linked with a move.

One of those was Hwang. The Wolves star has previously worked with Marsch. And it seems that the now-former Leeds boss was the driving force behind the club’s interest.

Hay has now provided a little more detail on why Rutter was the forward to come in. And he suggested that the Leeds hierarchy were not as convinced about Hwang as Marsch had been.

“One of the players that Marsch was very interested in last month up front was Hwang at Wolves, who he’d worked with at Leipzig,” he told The Athletic Football Podcast.

“But Leeds’ attitude was Hwang was well into his career. And at this stage, it was hard to say if he was a particularly good investment. Whereas Rutter is 20 years old, very much emerging, had a couple of good years at Hoffenheim. Much better in terms of future potential and resale value.”

It really feels that Leeds made exactly the right call not going with Marsch. Of course, it will be some time before we learn whether the club overpaid for Rutter. He is certainly under some pressure to make an impact.

However, Hwang would not have excited the fanbase. His record in the Premier League is poor. He has only scored five goals in 47 league games at Molineux.

He has previously enjoyed success under Marsch. But clearly, the Leeds hierarchy were still yet to be fully convinced that Marsch was the right man for the long run.

Had they signed Hwang and then let Marsch go, the situation may well have been even bleaker than it currently is. So you have to praise Leeds for pressing ahead with a move for Rutter.