Anthony Onifade

Fri 9 June 2023 10:40, UK

Leeds United have been dealt a potential fresh blow in their desperate search for a manager after new West Brom head of operations Ian Pearce gave Carlos Corberan his public backing.

The Whites have long been linked with a fairytale return of their former first-team coach, with The Mirror newspaper [31 May, page 55] revealing that Leeds were sounding out West Brom over triggering Corberan’s release clause after the job he’s done at The Hawthorns.

Indeed, the Spaniard has done a tremendous job since his appointment in October despite just falling short of the play-off places this season, steering the club away from relegation trouble and turning them into promotion contenders.

Leeds are on the hunt for a new manager following their relegation to the Championship and have been tipped to return to the West Brom table again to acquire Corberan’s services after their failed pursuit in February [Sky Sports, 7 February].

Corberan’s record as manager certainly makes for good reading, winning 17 of his 33 games in charge and also holding an outstanding home record at The Hawthorns, which had reportedly won over the hearts of the Leeds United hierarchy.

It will be no surprise if the Whites were to move for the Spaniard once their full takeover from the 49ers Enterprises is complete. However, in a fresh new development at West Brom, their task to bring Corberan back to Elland Road has taken a damaging hit.

The Spaniard has had to face a behind-the-scenes shake-up at The Hawthorns with club CEO Ron Gourlay’s departure from The Hawthorns, which will have given Leeds United plenty of encouragement in the hunt for Corberan’s services.

But those doubts about his role at The Hawthorns looks to have been quelled.

In a major behind-the-scenes shift, the new head of football operations Pearce is planning for life with the Spaniard in charge and is looking to back him with signings in the transfer window.

Speaking to The Mirror [9 June, page 59], he said: “My focus now is on our plans for the summer, so we can provide Carlos with the tools he needs to coach a highly-competitive team.

“I want to make sure that my relationship with Carlos remains strong and continues to grow.”

Corberan who was believed to be on great working terms with Gourlay may well have been considering his position as West Brom boss with further uncertainty clouding over The Hawthorns regarding their ability to strengthen the squad this summer.

West Brom will have needed to find a way to give Corberan the assurances he desires in order improve his depleted playing squad and that the club could match his ambitions in the long run, pushing for Premier League promotion next season, and that matter now looks to have been addressed by Pearce in an exciting new development for West Brom.

The Spaniard may well have proven a top addition for Leeds United, given his influence and transformation of both Huddersfield and the Baggies, turning them from relegation candidates to Championship play-off hopefuls – tools Leeds will desperately need from their new appointment next season.

However, it seems as if their dream of appointing one of their own has taken another which means the 49ers’ attention may now have to be focused elsewhere. Pearce’s public backing could indeed be seen as a subliminal warning to potential suitors saying “Hands off” West Brom’s most prized possession.

In other Leeds United news, Patrick Bamford is now surely emptying his locker at Thorp Arch.