Jesse Marsch has emerged as South Korea’s top choice for its vacant men’s national team coaching position, according to a report from Sports Chosun.
The South Korean publication said that the ex-Leeds manager recently completed an interview for the job in England, and has been elevated to the top choice out of three final candidates.
Another meeting between the South Korean federation and Marsch is set for Tuesday, and an agreement could be announced shortly after.
The South Korea job has been vacant since February when another manager with strong U.S. ties, Jürgen Klinsmann, was sacked in the aftermath of the team’s disappointing showing at the Asian Cup.
Marsch has been out of work after being sacked by Leeds 14 months ago, having previously coached with Montreal and the New York Red Bulls in MLS, and with Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. Should he take over the Taegeuk Warriors, it would be the 50-year-old’s first international head coaching position.
Canada has also reportedly contacted Marsch recently about its vacant men’s national team head coaching position.
Marsch coached one of South Korea’s top players, Hwang Hee-chan, at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. The striker is currently starring in the Premier League at Wolves, where he’s scored 11 league goals this season.
After a shocking Asian Cup semifinal exit to Jordan, the South Korea national team was thrown into further turmoil after two of its star players, Lee Kang-in and Son Heung-min, were involved in an argument that left the latter with a broken finger.
Next up for South Korea will be 2026 World Cup qualification, with the third round of Asian qualifiers kicking off in September.
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