Leeds United update: Confirmed manager news at Leicester City clears way for Scott Parker to Elland Road
Leeds United have been handed a free run at appointing Scott Parker to the vacant manager’s job if they want him, after Leicester City announced Enzo Maresca on Friday (16 June).
According to talkSPORT on 13 June the Whites have already inquired over the availability of the former Bournemouth and Fulham boss, having been attracted by the fact he had got both sides promoted from the Championship.
He was reported to be on the Foxes radar as well, but after the former Manchester City coach Maresca was confirmed at the King Power that knocks the fellow relegated side out of the running.
Phil Hay reported in The Athletic (14 June) that Brendan Rodgers was the preferred option to take over at Elland Road if he was available, but he is now expected to reprise his old job at Celtic having made clear he didn’t want to manage in the second tier.
Interviews are planned with Daniel Farke and Carlos Corberan, who have both impressed in the Championship themselves, but Hay noted Parker’s consideration came with the caveat that Leicester were “considering” an offer.
If Leeds United were worried they had missed the boat on the 42-year-old, who was sacked after a whistle-stop spell in charge of Club Brugge this season, they can put him back in play now.
Of the three named candidates still in the running, with Steven Gerrard also considered previously but set to take over in Saudi Arabia at Al Ettifaq [Mirror, 14 June], Parker arguably has the most damaged reputation at the moment, so whether he is the priority over Farke and Corberan remains to be seen.
His early-season firing from Bournemouth after a 9-0 thrashing by Liverpool, followed by his time in Belgium, might leave fans underwhelmed, but his record in the Championship speaks for itself.
However, Farke himself won the second tier twice with Norwich, while Corberan turned around a tanking West Brom to narrowly miss out on the play-offs last season, but has only ever been as far as the play-off final with Huddersfield.
Leeds United’s recent record of landing the managerial option they want is far from flawless, so having a back-up option, or two, is sure to be important.
Should it prove impossible to reach an agreement for the German or the Spaniard, or if the ex-England midfielder is perhaps the preferred choice, Parker is back in the frame after Leicester went for a highly successful assistant who is an unproven option in his own right.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are planning to offer an exit-bound ace less money to stay according to Phil Hay.