By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

15th Feb, 2023 | 5:29pm

Revealed: Jesse Marsch deal collapses after Southampton dressing room mutiny, Leeds United all over again

The Southampton players were unconvinced by the prospect of Jesse Marsch becoming their new manager, sources have told Football Insider.

Sources close to the south coast club say that installing the recently-departed Leeds United boss was seen by significant voices in the dressing room as an unambitious appointment.

It is believed that the Southampton players were unsure that Marsch’s style would be a success following his spell at Elland Road.

They are believed to have made their feelings clear on the potential appointment to senior club figures.

Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (15 February) that negotiations over bringing the American to the club collapsed at the eleventh hour.

Marsch, who kept Leeds United up last term, was sacked just last Monday (6 February) after less than a year at the helm of the Yorkshire giants.

He failed to oversee a Premier League win since the mid-season World Cup break, leaving the Whites just outside the relegation zone.

The former RB Leizpig boss came in for intense criticism during the final throes of his reign – with his style leading to defensive deficiencies which have seen Leeds United keep only four clean sheets this season.

There were also whispers of dressing room discontent at the American’s methods.

Marsch’s sides are also perceived to lack width – a characteristic which may have been incompatible with Southampton, following the January signings of wingers Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mislav Orsic.

The Saints sacked Nathan Jones on Sunday (12 February) after he won just one of his first seven Premier League games in charge.

Football Insider revealed in December that players in the St Mary’s dressing room were at odds with Jones about a planned transition to a three-man defence – something which was also universally unpopular with the fanbase.

The Saints are bottom of the Premier League heading into their away meeting with Chelsea on Saturday (18 February).

In other news, Football Insider updates as Southampton battle Leeds United to lure top manager target.