Patrick Vieira to block Leeds United transfer with Elland Road appointment now on the cards for Friday
Leeds United look to be finally closing in on a new manager.
It was confirmed on Thursday (22 June) that the Whites will be kicking off their first season back in the EFL against Cardiff City at Elland Road on 6 August.
Right now, it’s unclear who exactly will be in charge of the Yorkshire giants for that game but recent speculation suggests Paraag Marathe and Angus Kinnear are close to an appointment.
The Guardian reported on Wednesday that former Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira is now in pole position to replace Sam Allardyce in the Elland Road hot seat.
It is understood that the 46-year-old Frenchman, an Arsenal legend in his playing days, is keen on the job at Leeds as the club’s board conducts the final round of interviews.
Daniel Farke and Scott Parker are said to be in contention as well but Vieira has seemingly shot up Leeds’ shortlist to be their new number-one pick.
As with any managerial appointment, it remains to be seen how Vieira would perform.
He’s not managed second-tier football before having only previously managed New York City, OGC Nice and Crystal Palace at a senior level. The latter sacked the Senegal-born boss in March after a 12-match winless run left the Londoners threatened with relegation alongside Leeds.
Vieira wouldn’t be a bad hire.
He did well in the MLS with New York City before overseeing a mixed spell while in charge of Nice in his first job in European football.
At Crystal Palace, Vieira was hailed for transforming the style the club had been playing, guiding the Eagles to a 12th-placed Premier League finish and the FA Cup semi-finals.
It didn’t end well for Vieira, of course, but he’s a manager who’s probably worth taking a gamble on.
Hiring Vieira could also help the situation regarding Jack Harrison’s future at Elland Road.
The two worked together at New York City where Harrison made his professional debut as a player and Vieira made his senior debut as a manager.
All of Harrison’s 61 NYCFC appearances came when Vieira was in charge. In those games, the Stoke-born winger scored 14 times and supplied 10 assists, with his form leading to a transfer to Manchester City in 2018.
Harrison did well at Leeds last season despite their relegation with his early-season form leading to calls for him to get into the England squad for the World Cup.
He did fade away – but the transfer speculation hasn’t.
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported on 14 March that Newcastle United would be a tempting prospect for Harrison if Leeds United were to be relegated while Football Transfers has more recently claimed (18 June) that Everton are in ongoing talks over a potential deal for the Elland Road winger.
Harrison came close to leaving Leeds for Leicester City in January before signing a new contract at Elland Road, which runs until the summer of 2028.
The Express, unfortunately for Leeds, reported on 24 May that there’s a release clause that’s now active in Harrison’s contract due to the club’s drop to the Championship.
Vieira would have a lot of work to do as Leeds manager if he’s hired, with The Guardian’s report suggesting a deal could be done as soon as Friday (22 June).
One of his toughest jobs would be to keep Harrison but there are unlikely to be many more managers out there who Leeds could hire who’d stand the chance that Vieira does.
In other Leeds United news, one player’s permanent exit from the club is almost complete.