Leeds manager search down to four names; Whites ‘want’ Marsch replacement by Man Utd clash
Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola and Feyenoord manager Arne Slot are two of four candidates Leeds United have narrowed their managerial search down to.
Leeds dismissed Jesse Marsch on Monday after the Whites’ 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
The defeat leaves the Yorkshire outfit 17th in the Premier League, level on points with Everton in 18th and three above 20th-placed Southampton.
Plenty of names have been thrown in the mix, with West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan quickly emerging as the favourite.
The 39-year-old spent three years at Elland Road as a youth manager and assistant coach before taking on the Huddersfield Town managerial job in 2020.
Corberan did a brilliant job with the Terriers, guiding them to the Championship play-off final in his second season in charge.
A stint at Olympiakos was less successful before returning to England in October to replace Steve Bruce at West Brom.
After a woeful start to the season, the Baggies are now in the play-off picture with Corberan winning 10 of his 13 league matches in charge.
However, the Spaniard penned a contract extension on Tuesday evening, putting a move to Leeds in serious doubt.
Leeds face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday and Michael Skubala has been placed in charge of that match alongside Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo.
READ MORE: Leeds United and Jesse Marsch never ‘took’; make no mistake, this is a difficult job
The report states that the club’s hierarchy are hoping to have the new manager in the dugout for Sunday’s match against the Red Devils.
Another on the four-man shortlist is Vallecano boss Iraola. The Spaniard is doing a tremendous job with his side fifth in La Liga after earning promotion last term.
The other two managers in the running are said to be Feyenoord’s Slot – who is currently the odds-on favourite – and River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo.
The report does mention Real Madrid legend Raul after the board ‘supported’ the idea of appointing him, though the ‘timing is wrong for an approach now’.
Feyenoord boss Slot is highly rated in the Netherlands. His side are currently top of the Eredivisie with one loss from their opening 20 league matches.
The Dutch side topped their Europa League group in bizarre fashion as all four clubs finished on eight points after winning two, drawing two and losing two.
Finishing above Danish outfit FC Midtjylland on goals scored, Feyenoord went straight through the round of 16 as second-placed sides lock horns with Champions League rejects in the round of 32.
Voetbal International journalist Martijn Krabbendam has claimed that Slot would “fit” in at Leeds.
”At Leeds United, he seems to be on a list. Nice club, big club. He would fit there too,” Krabbendam said.
The journalist added that Slot would not be the only one to leave Feyenoord should he depart.
He said: “Sipke Hulshoff [Feyenoord assistant manager] will also come along then. Only John de Wolf will then remain seated. It is very important that De Wolf writes down everything he sees now. Keep track of everything!”
Slot can leave Feyenoord if his release clause is triggered, according to Fr12.nl.
Feyenoord general manager Dennis te Kloese has confirmed this but insists it is valid only for next summer.
READ MORE: Next Leeds United boss: Feyenoord coach Slots in as new odds-on favourite
