Leeds United would have paid £7m Andoni Iraola termination clause in manager pursuit
Leeds United were willing to pay the £7million termination clause in Andoni Iraola’s contract at Rayo Vallecano to lure him to Elland Road, according to Marca.
Journalist Raul Granado reavealed on Wednesday (8 February) that the 40-year-old had rejected an offer from the Whites after being made the club’s number one target to replace Jesse Marsch as manager.
However, Leeds have not ruled out the possibility of making a second approach for the highly touted coach, whose side currently sits fifth in the La Liga table. [90Min]
Marca has now revealed (Thursday 9 February) that Leeds were willing to dig deep into their pockets to secure the services of Iraola, and offered to pay the full £7million termination clause in his contract at the Spanish club.
“The Elland Road team came with all the artillery to take Andoni Iraola away,” they wrote.
“He was willing to pay the termination clause that appears in his contract and that is around 8 million euros.
“Iraola was attracted to the project and the idea of coaching in the Premier League, but he did not want to pay the clause and give the impression that he was leaving a club in which he has managed to consolidate himself as coach.”
Go hard or go home
The Leeds managerial chase continues to get that bit more embarassing by the hour.
After being rejected by West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, who signed a new logn-term contract in the West Midlands, Iraola seemed like the next cab off the rank following his heroics in Spain.
It is promising to see that Leeds were willing to pay the full termination clause for Iraola as a new manager needs to put in place as soon as possible. Although Michael Skubala managed to lead the side to a 2-2 draw agaisnt Manchester United, a tough return fuxture against the Red Devils awaits this weekend.
With clubs around them in the league picking up points, Leeds need to respond by getting a manager who has the calibre to pull them clear of the relegation zone.
Although Premier League experience would be ideal for the relegation dogfight that inevitably awaits, Iraola looks to have the calibre to take a grip of this Leeds team and implement his playing style at Elland Road.
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.