Andrea Radrizzani deletes Leeds United interviews Tweet before Andori Iraola update from Fabrizio Romano
Andrea Radrizzani deleted a Tweet about the Leeds United manager search amid the latest blow on Andoni Iraola staying at Rayo Vallecano.
Following Carlos Corberan’s new West Brom contract, his fellow Spaniard in La Liga had become the leading candidate to replace Jesse Marsch, but according to Fabrizio Romano the 40-year-old will be staying in Madrid.
Two previous posts from Elland Road chief Radrizzani had suggested weakening confidence in a swift appointment, having indicated via Twitter on Tuesday night (7 February) that there should be “white smoke” by the following morning, before saying more time was needed in his post later on Wednesday, and his now-deleted Thursday update seems even less encouraging.
Right In The Gary Kellys shared a screenshot on Twitter of the chairman’s deleted message on Thursday morning (9 February) which said: “We keep praying and making interviews”.
Romano followed up a short time later with his update, posting on his Twitter account: “Andoni Iraola, now set to stay at Rayo Vallecano despite Leeds United job talks.
“Arne Slot on Leeds links: “I’ve read the news but I haven’t seen anything on my phone. What will I do when a message comes in from Leeds? Open the message”, tells ESPN Netherlands”.
Nervous
Clearly developments are not going to plan and the situation can essentially be measured by Radrizzani’s tone in each of his past three Twitter posts.
The expectation across Monday and Tuesday after Marsch was sacked was of a plan in place to get his successor through the door rapidly and cause minimal disruption.
Instead, Corberan apparently scoffed at the offer of an 18-month contract and rejected the chance to return to Elland Road, and with him thought to be the favourite of the chairman it was likely the Baggies boss who was the cause of the Italian’s confidence on Tuesday night.
Iraola was the chosen option of sporting director Victor Orta so all attentions then switched to the man surprising plenty of people in La Liga, but he now looks to be out of reach too.
Feyenoord boss Slot has emerged as an option belatedly as other names fell away, and there is no certainty that he will be available either.
The developments over the past 48-hours appear to make clear, and Radrizzani looks to have given it away as well, that it is going to now have to be back-up choices at best, if not entirely new options.
One of the two matches against Manchester United has now passed, and the Michael Skubala-led team produced a creditable 2-2 draw, but the expectation that a new boss would at least be in before the return at Elland Road on Sunday (12 February) is also in jeopardy.
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