Footage has resurfaced of Leeds United managerial target Jesse Marsch taking out David Beckham with a horror challenge during an MLS match.
Marsch is the favourite to replace former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, who was sacked on Sunday in the wake of the club’s 4-0 defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League.
Former RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg head coach Marsch is expected to be confirmed as Bielsa's replacement on Monday.
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A clip has now resurfaced of the former United States international clashing with Beckham during an MLS match between Chivas and LA Galaxy in 2007.
After seeing Beckham go past him in midfield, Marsch hacks down the former Manchester United midfielder with an absolutely shocking challenge.
Beckham immediately gets back to his feet to confront Marsch, with the two players squaring up in the centre of the pitch.
The challenge sparks a huge brawl between the two sets of players, with Chivas defender Alex Zotinca and LA Galaxy’s Kevin Harmse both shown red cards.
Marsch later admitted the tackle was an act of retribution on Beckham.
"He kind of got a piece of me the play before that and so it was somewhat of a retaliation, somewhat of a tactical foul because he was on the break," Marsch said.
"It was harder than I would have liked it to have been. I apologised to him and I told him I respect what he's about. He was kind of done with me though."
Marsch is set to be appointed as manager in time for Leeds’ next match against Leicester in the Premier League on Saturday.
He has been without a role since being sacked by RB Leipzig in December after just five months in charge of the German club.
Before that, he had led Red Bull Salzburg to back-to-back domestic doubles in Austrian football, having previously managed Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls in the MLS.
Topics: David Beckham, Leeds United, Football, Premier League, LA Galaxy, MLS
Rory O'Callaghan