Leeds United manager news as Nuno Espirito Santo should walk out on current club for Elland Road
The Athletic journalist Phil Hay reported on 11 February that former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo would be “keen” on a Premier League return and is under consideration for the Leeds United job.
90min also shared Leeds United’s interest in Nuno on 14 February but revealed that luring the Portuguese tactician to Elland Road would require the club to pay an £8m release clause to his current club Al-Ittihad.
Now, if Nuno opted to walk out on the Saudi Arabian club, Andrea Radrizzani and the Leeds United hierarchy may not even need to worry about that release clause, saving themselves millions in the process.
“Another name on Leeds’ radar is former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. Currently coaching in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad, it is believed a move back to the Premier League does appeal to the Portuguese,” as quoted by 90min. (14 February)
“One issue with a deal for Nuno is that he does have a release clause worth up to £8m and it remains to be seen if Leeds would pay that. The size of release clause was an issue in their initial pursuit of Iraola, and their lack of commitment to pay it led to him turning them down.”
Beggars can’t be choosers?
Now, Nuno may not be the first, second, third, fifth or even tenth choice but with the club’s options looking extremely limited, he may be the best option right now.
Forgetting his horrendous spell with Tottenham, it’s easy to forget how good of a job the Portuguese manager did with Wolves, gaining promotion to the Premier League and then achieving back-to-back seventh-placed finishes.
Yes, he was backed at Wolves by the powers that be with some savvy Portuguese connections, but he would have a similar arsenal of talented players at his disposal in West Yorkshire.
Preventing relegation has to be the club’s priority right now and if that is achieved with a manager who is no one’s ideal candidate then so be it.
Long-term Nuno might not be the guy for brighter days at Elland Road but with the current crop of roundabout managers on sale, he’s preferable to the likes of Steven Gerrard.
His appointment would likely depend on him being willing to walk out on his Saudi Arabian mirage as it would be tough to see Radrizzani wanting to cough up £8m for a short-term backup option.
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