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Rayo Vallecano chief confirms Leeds United made Andoni Iraola offer amid worries behind-the-scenes
Rayo Vallecano’s sporting director David Cobeno confirmed that Leeds United were keen on hiring Andoni Iraola in the winter.
Tele Madrid claim on 17 February that the club’s offices “trembled” when an offer came in from Leeds for Andoni Iraola.
The Whites wanted the Spaniard at the helm at Elland Road but Rayo were unwilling to let him go in the middle of the season.
However, Cobeno admitted that he was never worried about the Spaniard jumping ship to join Leeds.
He told Tele Madrid, “Iraola is a man of his word and from the club there was no doubt that he was going to continue and help us until the end of the season.”
Approach in the summer?
Leeds cannot afford to let Iraola just sign a new deal and they need to be in touch with his representatives about joining at the end of the season.
Iraola gave his word to the club that he’ll be there until May but after that, all bets will be off and he will be free to decide for himself.
Leeds will also not have to pay compensation as he will be a free agent from the managerial standpoint and the Whites could then approach him.
From the looks of it, he did not categorically deny the opportunity to move to Leeds as clearly a step up from Rayo Vallecano.
Even though they’re fighting for European places and Leeds are in a relegation battle, the money and career progression are going to be far greater in the Premier League.
Hopefully, Leeds can avoid relegation otherwise it’s going to be impossible for them to get the managers that they want.
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