Leeds United manager update: Carlos Corberan ‘has to be in the mix’ with Daniel Farke amid West Brom issues – Adam Pope
Carlos Corberan “has to be in the mix” for the Leeds United job amid “serious” financial issues at West Brom, according to Adam Pope.
The Daily Mail had suggested that the Baggies manager could be ruled out of the race for the Elland Road job since the club want to avoid paying compensation and he has a £2million release clause at the Hawthorns.
But, while accepting that the ongoing speculation that Daniel Farke could be the top option “makes sense” because of his “good pedigree” in the second tier Pope feels that Corberan is not yet out of the equation.
Speaking on Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet on Monday (19 June, 12m 55s) he said: “He has to be in the mix. Oh yeah. Is he going to be able to perform what was almost a footballing miracle last year again this year when they’ve [West Brom] got serious financial issues?”
He also noted that the former Whites coach will know some of the players that are set to come back off loan having faced off against them this season, including Charlie Cresswell and Cody Drameh, although accepted it would not be a “splash” appointment if that’s what the 49ers are aiming for.
Peanuts
If Leeds United think Corberan returning to Elland Road gives them the best chance to be promoted it would be insanity to rule him out because of a small release clause.
They likely wouldn’t think twice to trigger it for any player they wanted to buy who was available for that amount, and the man in charge of the squad is arguably of greater importance than any one member.
So, while surely the 49ers and Angus Kinnear would prefer the ease of appointing a manager who is currently out of work, there seems no logical reason why the Spaniard should be ruled out because he is at West Brom currently.
The Baggies will understandably want to keep him there after the turnaround he implemented upon taking over from Steve Bruce, and there is an argument that Farke makes more sense anyway having won the Championship twice.
But Pope is right that Corberan must be in the conversation, after he did good work in the second tier with both Huddersfield and West Brom, and since he has a familiarity with Leeds already.
Whoever the next man ends up being, the drama on Monday that saw Andoni Iraola shoot back into the equation for a matter of hours before being snapped up by Bournemouth shows that an appointment needs to come quickly.
In other Leeds United news, Jack Harrison is ready to leave the club amid talks over a potential sale.