Southampton held talks with Jesse Marsch on Monday as they stepped up their search for a manager. Marsch, dismissed by Leeds last Monday, has been identified as a candidate to succeed Nathan Jones, who was sacked after 94 days.
Jones left the club bottom of the Premier League after a run of seven defeats in eight league games. Southampton sounded out Marsch last week and are understood to admire his high-pressing style.
Marsch has worked across the Red Bull group at New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, where the former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl, whom Jones replaced, spent two years in charge.
Marsch has remained in the UK. He kept Leeds in the top flight last season after succeeding Marcelo Bielsa but was sacked with Leeds 17th after seven games without a win.