Sources: Chris Armas heads to Leeds United after work permit granted
Chris Armas will join the Leeds United coaching staff after being granted a work permit during a hearing this week, sources have told Football Insider.
The former Man United coach, 50, has agreed a deal to join Jesse Marsch’s first-team coaching staff at Elland Road.
His arrival at Leeds had been on hold while the club waited for formal approval that Armas could work in the UK again after his spell at Old Trafford alongside Ralf Rangnick during the second half of last season.
But Armas’ application was approved by an independent Premier League panel at a hearing on Monday.
The processing of the paperwork by the League will then allow Armas to join Marsch in the dugout at Elland Road as the club look to escape relegation this season.
Leeds have reached a full agreement with the experienced coach after Mark Jackson left the club last month to become the new MK Dons manager, in a move first revealed by Football Insider.
Jackson had been on the first-team staff at United after graduating from the club’s youth-team coaching set-up.
Armas has not only worked in the Premier League before but has also managed in the MLS, where he was in charge of New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC.
He also had an impressive playing career in America, appearing over 250 games for Chicago Fire and LA Galaxy.
Leeds are making the backroom change at a critical point in what has been another testing season.
They are 14th in the Premier League, just two points ahead of the relegation zone, heading into Sunday’s clash against high-flying Brentford.
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