Leeds United manager update: BBC pundit reacts to ‘shock’ Carlos Carvalhal development
Carlos Carvalhal would be a “very good appointment” for Leeds United after his candidacy came “out of the blue”, according to Carlton Palmer.
The Sun reported on 4 June that the Celta Vigo boss was in the running to replace Sam Allardyce, who left by mutual consent the same day.
Ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United midfielder Palmer believes the well-travelled Portuguese would be an excellent option at Elland Road after his work in the Championship with the Owls between 2015 and 2017.
The BBC pundit told Football League World: “Leeds United have been linked with former Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal.
“Carlos is a very good manager and would be a very good appointment for Leeds United.
“His name has come out of the blue, and it would be a shock appointment, but he was very, very popular at Sheffield Wednesday.
“He was 90 minutes in 2016 from getting to the Owls to the Premier League.
“The Owls finished in a higher league position the following season, only to tumble out of the promotion stakes thanks to a penalty shootout defeat to eventual play-off champions Huddersfield.”
Experienced
The next appointment for the Whites dug-out is vitally important and as it will likely be the first key decision the 49ers regime makes in full charge of the club it has the potential to define the start of their reign.
Getting the right person in before too much more time goes by this summer could be the difference between returning to the Premier League at the first attempt or not.
Carvalhal’s time at Hillsborough is a definite boost to his CV if Angus Kinnear is minded to go for him, although his subsequent spell at Swansea in the top flight saw them relegated.
With the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Besiktas and Braga also on his resumé he would have plenty of experience to call upon at Elland Road, and his time in La Liga saw him finish 13th this season, albeit with safety only actually confirmed with a final day win over champions Barcelona.
On paper he might appear to be a similar appointment as Javi Gracia was this season, with the returns on that move drying up alarmingly quickly despite encouraging early signs.
However, while the process that saw the Spaniard arrive midseason was chaotic to say the least, the fact that the 49ers takeover appears to have finally arrived should still give the club time to appoint someone ready for a full pre-season with the squad.
There will however still be major turnover for the new manager to negotiate within that squad before it is settled for the new season.
In other Leeds United news, a Fabrizio Romano transfer update has a queue of teams ready to sign one unlikely Whites player.