Leeds United manager news: Angus Kinnear in ‘ongoing’ talks for at least three weeks amid Brendan Rodgers update
Brendan Rodgers is a “long shot” for Leeds United despite being the “preferred target”, leaving three names publicly in the frame, according to Beren Cross.
The former Leicester boss is thought to be a favourite for the new 49ers regime [Phil Hay, 26 May] but is now on the brink of making a surprise return to Celtic [Guardian, 13 June], despite “ongoing” talks between CEO Angus Kinnear and the candidates for the job since before the end of the season.
Championship stand-outs Daniel Farke, Scott Parker and Carlos Corberan are still in the running, with Kinnear having maintained contact ready for the incoming owners to make a move.
Cross said in his Leeds Live Q&A on Tuesday (13 June): “Farke, Parker and Corberan are names we know are at least in the frame for the top job. Rodgers would arguably be the preferred target, but it is understood he remains a long shot at this point of the summer.
“Talks have been ongoing between Kinnear and prospective head coaches since before last season ended. The chief executive has tried to get targets in place and ready to move for once 49ers Enterprises properly have control.
“Relegation will only push these plans back. It’s hard to see money being diverted away from the pitch and into the stadium when there is no guarantee of a return to the top flight in the near future.”
Treading water
While the ownership negotiations were in progress Kinnear was left to try to bridge the gap, and while it appears he has been working hard ever since to keep possible options in play they will only hold on for so long.
The links to Steven Gerrard appear to have ended with him in Saudi Arabia for talks to take over at Al-Ettifaq [Football Transfers, 12 June], which is unlikely to be a huge disappointment to many Whites fans.
But the failure to land Rodgers likely will be if he now reprises his previous role at Celtic Park. The Northern Irishman would have been a tricky candidate to convince to drop down to the Championship but it isn’t hard to see why he was favoured.
The three known names who remain on the cards have all proven they can get the job done in the second tier, but with Leicester still yet to tie up their manager situation and teams abroad still also likely to pose a threat, the time to strike is now.
With interviews involving Kinnear and Paraag Marathe occurring this week [Yorkshire Evening Post, 13 June] it should be that Leeds United are finally on the brink of making firm moves.
If the club manages to land a solid option to push for promotion it appears it will be in large part down to the CEO’s work amid the chaos of the last few weeks, and an answer as to how successful that has been looks close now.
In other Leeds United news, an approach has already been made in the race to appoint a new sporting director amid a confirmed move Tuesday.