Ex-Leeds boss Jesse Marsch 'hoping' for Premier League return after 12 months in limbo as American opens up on 'heartbreaking' Elland Road exit

The American coach has been without a job since parting ways with Leeds United in February 2023. He was linked with a move to Southampton and Leicester City after leaving Elland Road but no formal offers were presented to him. Now, the 50-year-old has expressed his desire to return to coaching and take charge of another top-flight English club.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Marsch said: "I love the Premier League and I love the power of what the league means globally, but honestly the true answer is I want to find like-minded people, who are committed to developing people, relationships and building something. I’ve been kind of hoping we can find some kind of connection back in the Premier League but if that doesn’t come I have to find what else is out there and what comes next for me."

Recalling his time at Elland Road, he added: "Working with the players was fantastic. They fought and gave everything they had for me. I appreciated working with them and enjoyed the whole process. When I said I was heartbroken it was really difficult for me to say goodbye to them and I didn’t because I knew if I stood in front of them I’d break down. So, I just individually dealt with a lot of them. Of course, there are always going to be questions coming from above when results aren’t going the way they should be.

"I understand why decisions get made. Obviously, I wish it would have been different and I firmly believe we were on track to get the necessary results and continue to build but this is football."

The former RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls manager took charge of Leeds in February 2022, replacing Marcelo Bielsa. In his maiden season in England, he helped the team avoid relegation. However, results took a turn for the worse in the first half of last season, and in February 2023, the club decided to sack Marsch after they failed to register a win in over three months.

Since leaving Leeds, Marsch has worked as a pundit for CBS Sports. He had earlier claimed that he wanted to continue working in Europe. It remains to be seen if a suitable offer from England comes his way in the future.