George Overhill

Tue 20 June 2023 18:30, UK

Raul has once again emerged in the frame for the vacant Leeds United manager’s job in a late Tuesday (20 June) update from the BBC’s Adam Pope.

The Spain and Real Madrid legend was linked to the Elland Road job in the wake of Jesse Marsch’s 6 February sacking, with AS reporting the same day that an offer from the Whites had already been rejected.

But while Daniel Farke’s name remains a constant in the frame for a summer appointment, another previously-linked name has emerged late in the day in Patrick Vieira, and now yet another has joined the conversation in the form of the 45-year-old Real Madrid B team boss.

And that comes after one of the top names to succeed Marsch in February, new Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, came back into the equation on Monday before quickly exiting to the Vitality.

In response to a question about former Norwich boss Farke on Twitter Tuesday the Pope wrote: “He has a proven record of promotion so I can see the merits.

“A few other names – swirling around today include Raul & Vieira – so hopefully a decision is imminent.”

Activity

If there was smoke four and a half months ago then there may be fire now, as recent days appear to have seen activity shoot up in unexpected directions.

While the delay in getting the ownership question sorted saw far too little advancement towards a much-needed replacement for Sam Allardyce the past week has been the opposite.

Brendan Rodgers emerged as the 49ers’ favourite but rejected managing in the Championship [The Athletic, 14 June] and has now made a surprise return to Celtic.

It appeared the likes of Farke and Scott Parker would be left as the prime candidates as interviews were taking place heading into this week.

But as Iraola and Vieira came into the frame late on it appears now Raul has joined them at the 11th hour, as more time passes without an answer at Elland Road.

The same questions would apply now as they did the first time he was linked, as the world-famous goalscorer has so little managerial experience outside of the club that made him famous.

A decision cannot be far off now, and logically Farke is in prime position, but in a week where Gary O’Neil was sacked by Bournemouth after keeping the Cherries up, on the same day Darren Moore left Sheffield Wednesday just weeks after getting them promoted it is impossible to bank on anything for certain.

In other Leeds United news, the club are expected to insert both buy-back and sell-on clauses as a permanent Elland Road exit nears.