Anthony Onifade

Sat 3 June 2023 12:10, UK

Carlos Corberan’s future is now up in the air at West Brom after news emerged midweek, giving Leeds United plenty of encouragement in their managerial pursuit.

Sam Allardyce was appointed for the final four games of the season but failed to win a match as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League following a 4-1 defeat at home to Tottenham on 28 May.

The former England boss has indicated he would like a crack with Leeds in the Championship but is now set to leave Elland Road [The Telegraph, 1 June] with the club pushing for his immediate successor.

And according to The Mirror [31 May], Leeds United are likely to sound out West Brom about Corberan’s release clause at The Hawthorns with the Whites hierarchy having huge admiration for the job he’s done in the West Midlands.

Indeed, the Spaniard has done a tremendous job at the Hawthorns 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 United were strongly interested in his services back in February when they were looking for a successor to Jesse Marsch following his sacking [Sky Sports, 7 February], but for Corberan to commit to a new deal at West Brom.

However, with the Whites set to firm up their interest again, they may have a better chance of persuading him to return to Elland Road this time around after a major development at The Hawthorns which may leave his decision to remain in serious jeopardy.

According to BBC journalist Rob Gurney [31 May], Corberan’s future at West Brom is now up in the air following the news of CEO Ron Gourlay’s departure from The Hawthorns.

The Scot offered his resignation in March and, having served some of his notice period, it has been confirmed he will leave the club [Express & Star, 31 May] and begin gardening leave from June 14.

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

“One of the main reasons was because of the working relationship he had with Ron Gourlay and now he’s gone and clearly Leeds are in the market for a manager again because they’re not gonna stick with Allardyce in the Championship.

“So, whether Albion fans thought ill of Gourlay or not, he was at least a figurehead at the top of the club providing a degree of stability, now there is no CEO, two weeks today and we are in the middle now and will be very shortly, of a summer transfer window.

“And where that leaves West Brom moving forward as an entity and whether Corberan is still going to resist overtures from other clubs because I’m sure other clubs are gonna come calling for him, because of the job that he did taking Albion from the bottom to the near the top of the Championship.

“Tonight’s news of Gourlay’s departure has to throw Corberan’s up into the air as well”, Gurney told BBC Radio West Midlands [31 May].

With Leeds United certainly looking at a swift Premier League return by this time next season, it is imperative the club seek out candidates who have experience getting teams to such lofty positions.

Corberan was so close to achieving the unthinkable having worked miracles at both Huddersfield and West Brom and may find himself third time lucky at a club he knows so well having worked under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road a few years back.

West Brom are in a real state of flux right now, with plenty of uncertainty regarding their ability to strengthen in the upcoming transfer window and their dreadful ownership position which may force Corberan to seek assurances elsewhere.

Corberan is indeed a highly-rated coach and Leeds United will be silly not to pursue his services, or better yet activate his release clause at The Hawthorns.

The Spaniard is the kind of manager that could finally build something special at Elland Road, which is an incredibly attractive proposition for the Leeds United fans. After this week’s latest development, the door is now wide open for the Whites to make their dream managerial move, they have no option but to move fast to secure him.

In other Leeds news, 49ers takeover timeline shared as Sam Allardyce future update emerges.