LEEDS United manager Jesse Marsch insisted Ralph Hasenhuttl is “built with no cynicism or selfishness” and he wants the Austrian to succeed.

Marsch, 48, set his side up to go toe-to-toe with one of Hasenhuttl’s for a second time since arriving in the Premier League, with both matches ending in a draw.

James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick rescued a point in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in April, before Saints came from two behind to draw level on Saturday.

Marsch, when both he and Hasenhuttl were working with Red Bull affiliated clubs, spent between five and six weeks working under the mentorship of the Austrian early in his coaching career.

The American has spoken of his respect for Hasenhuttl, who has kept Saints in the Premier League each season since taking over at St Mary’s in 2018.

“Listen, if you just talk about Ralph the person, he’s an amazing person,” Marsch told the Daily Echo, asked after reports emerged suggesting Hasenhuttl has lost the trust of some his players.

Daily Echo:

“I said this last night, he’s like a gentle giant. He’s an open and honest guy, he’s built with no cynicism or selfishness. And that’s what I like and admire about him.

“I want him to be successful - not against us - but I want him to be successful because I like him so much.”

Hasenhuttl made a second-half change to bring on three substitutes and switch back to his 4-2-2-2 Red Bull-inspired formation, after Rodrigo hit a brace for Marsch’s side.

His substitutes combined to finally draw level, through starter Kyle Walker-Peters, with under 10 minutes to play. Neither team could find the finishing touch for all three points.

“I thought the changes he made were really good. And yeah of course at that moment they can be a little bit more aggressive, Southampton has nothing to lose,” Marsch added.

“So they played that way and their first goal changes the match. If we could have held on a little bit more, maybe we would have been able to secure the win.”

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