Southampton have ended their interest in former Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, according to reports.
The American looked set to be appointed to succeed Nathan Jones, who was sacked on Sunday, but talks broke down after Marsch wanted a longer deal than was being offered by Saints, prompting a sudden U-turn.
Interim manager Ruben Selles will remain in the job for Southampton’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday, but the board may now see him as a possible long-term option as they seek a permanent replacement for Jones, who was removed after only three months.
At 95 days he is the manager with the shortest reign at the club.
Marsch himself was sacked by Leeds last week after a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest left them 17th in the table.
But a run of just two wins in 19 this season led to his dismissal, with the club hovering a point above the bottom three.
Despite guiding the team to Premier League survival, the 49-year-old failed to win universal support at Elland Road, where a section of fans had called for him to be sacked after an eight-game winless run last October.
