Leeds United want to unveil new manager at Elland Road on Sunday as delegation returns from Madrid
A Leeds United delegation has returned back from Madrid empty-handed, after failing to persuade Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraoloa to become the club’s new manager, according to the Guardian.
The Whites are on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Jesse Marsch on Monday [6 February]. and the well-renowned La Liga coach emerged as a leading candidate [BBC Sport, 8 February] for the Elland Road managerial vacancy.
The Mail [7 February] reported “Director of football Victor Orta was understood to be in Madrid on Tuesday evening as part of a Leeds delegation hoping to persuade Iraola to succeed Jesse Marsch.
However, those attempts to lure Iraola proved difficult as the Spaniard admitted [Raul Granado, 8 February] he would prefer to remain in Spain and continue the stark progress at Vallecano in La Liga.
And according to reports in the Guardian [9 February], the Leeds delegation have returned from Madrid empty-handed failing to persuade Iraola to swap Spain for West Yorkshire.
The report claims “Iraola’s decision to remain in La Liga leaves Leeds’s hopes of introducing a new manager to the Elland Road crowd – when Manchester United visit on Sunday – very much in the balance.”
Who does Leeds turn to now?
The Whites have now been rejected by their top managerial candidates all in the space of two days.
First, top target Carlos Corberan rejected the chance of a return to Elland Road by signing a new deal at West Brom.
Now, Iraola follows his fellow countryman in preferring to continue the terrific job he is doing at his current club. Hiring managers currently in work is incredibly difficult as Leeds are finding out, especially managers whose reputations and positions at their current employers are high.
Who does the Whites hierarchy turn to now? The club are in a desperate position to hire a coach capable of galvanising the squad again and delivering another season of Premier League football. And acquiring one before Manchester United’s visit on Sunday is now looking increasingly uncertain by the hour.
In other Leeds United news, click here to see breaking, around-the-clock updates on Leeds’ search for a new manager in our interactive live blog.