Michael Skubala named as potential short-term managerial appointment at Leeds United
Leeds United could consider Michael Skubala as a short-term managerial option to help the club avoid relegation, according to The Telegraph.
Skubala, 40, was promoted to caretaker manager when Jesse Marsch was sacked earlier this season, and remained as part of the first-team coaching set-up alongside his work with the Under-21s when Javi Gracia was appointed as head coach.
The report shared that the Leeds board were locked in talks on Monday morning (1 May) about the future of Gracia following the bitterly disappointing 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth that left the club one point above the relegation zone with four games remaining.
“Leeds’ board were in discussions on Monday morning and are considering whether to sack Gracia and make a short-term appointment to try and spark a late revival,” The Telegraph wrote.
“One option could be to re-install highly regarded coach Michael Skubala as interim manager.
“Skubala was promoted to caretaker after the departure of Jesse Marsch in February and is respected by the players and the board.”
The only option?
Every single call the Leeds United board have made this season has ended up in disaster, but Skubala could at least bring a fresh approach to the job.
If the club decide to sack Gracia with just four games remaining of the season, it is unlikely that many managers, if any, would take the poisoned chalice at Elland Road.
This is especially true when considering the tough run of fixtures, including a trip to The Etihad Stadium this weekend and fixtures against Newcastle, West Ham and Spurs.
If there are no other candidates for the job, the club may have to turn to Skubala for the second time in just over three months.
Yes, the 40-year-old didn’t set the world alight during his stint earlier this season, but a new approach to the relegation battle, under new guidance, could be enough to see Leeds crawl over the line.
Four points could well be enough to secure Premier League survival this season, but under Gracia, it feels like that is an impossible task.
It wouldn’t be the most exciting appointment, but what other options do Leeds really have?
In other Leeds news, a reliable journalist has shared what he heard the Whites’ fans sing after the 4-1 defeat v Bournemouth.