Next Leeds United manager: Ex-Newcastle United boss touted as Jesse Marsch’s successor

Jesse Marsch has been sacked by Leeds United - and a former Newcastle United manager could step in.
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Leeds United have sacked manager Jesse Marsch following Sunday afternoon’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The Whites currently sit 17th in the Premier League table with their last victory coming eight matches ago at the beginning of November - a 4-3 win against Bournemouth at Elland Road.

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Marsch brought in new signings Max Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie - on loan from Juventus - during the January transfer window to try and change his side’s fortunes, however, Leeds have lost faith in the 49-year-old.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Jesse Marsch, Manager of Leeds United, reacts during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United at City Ground on February 05, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Jesse Marsch, Manager of Leeds United, reacts during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United at City Ground on February 05, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Jesse Marsch, Manager of Leeds United, reacts during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United at City Ground on February 05, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Chants of ‘Jesse, time to go’ were heard from the away end at the City Ground yesterday, and Leeds have listened to fans’ demands. The American departs after less than a year in charge, where he won eight of his 32 league matches.

The early favourites to become the next Leeds manager

The Leeds hierarchy now turns its focus to appointing a successor to Marsch. West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Coberan is the early favourite (3/1) with Paddy Power having previously worked under Marcelo Bielsa (5/1), who is also linked with a shock return, at Elland Road.

Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, is currently 6/1, while Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou is 15/2 before former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is next up at 10/1.

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Benitez has been out of management since parting company with Everton in January 2022. While the former Liverpool boss wasn’t the most popular of figures among Evertonians, the Spaniard is held in high regard by Newcastle supporters.

The 62-year-old managed the Magpies between 2016 and 2019 - winning promotion from the Championship before twice keeping the club in the Premier League. Benitez, amid frustrations with the previous owner Mike Ashley, left St James’ Park at the end of his contract to manage in China with Dalian Pro.

The former Champions League winner revealed last year he was open to a return to the dugout.

“Obviously as a professional manager, I’m open to every opportunity right now,” he said, “I love football and I love talking about football.”

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Leeds face Manchester United in a double-header this week, first playing at Old Trafford on Wednesday before the reverse fixture at Elland Road on Sunday.

Should a new manager be in place before either of those matches, then Leeds won’t be the only fans hoping for a new manager bounce. Newcastle, at present, are rivalling the Red Devils for a place in next season’s Champions League with just two points separating the two clubs in the table.

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