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New Leeds boss by Saturday: Report names three managers in running to replace Christiansen
By Richard Parks
Jaap Stam, Steve McClaren and Paul Grayson are all in the running for the Leeds United manager’s job after the sacking of Thomas Christiansen, according to a report.
The Yorkshire Evening Post name the trio as possible candidates to take over from Christiansen as United aim to have a new manager in place for Saturday’s Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United.
Former England manager Steve McClaren, who has been out of management since leaving Derby County last March although he has been working in Tel Aviv as assistant to former Manchester United winger Jordi Cruyff, was pictured in the directors box at Elland Road on Saturday.
Football Insider revealed on Sunday night that Jaap Stam, who made United’s shortlist of candidates for the job after Garry Monk resigned as head coach last summer, has been given his marching orders by Reading although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the club.
Former Leeds boss Simon Grayson is said to be keen on a return to Elland Road after a successful four-year spell as manager from 2008 to 2012 in which he steered the club to promotion from League One as well as their joint-highest league finish since their Premier League days.
Leeds announced in a statement on their official website earlier that night that Christiansen had been axed little over 24 hours following Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Cardiff City.
His 35-match tenure came to an end as he paid the price for a run of form which was threatening to end United’s bid to reach the Championship play-offs.
Christiansen had steered Leeds to the top of the Championship table in early September but the team have dropped to 10th in the division after failing to win a single game since Boxing Day and were dumped out of the FA Cup last month by League Two minnows Newport County.
The Yorkshire giants are now looking for their eighth manager in the last four years.
In other Leeds United news, a 48-year-old has been installed as the huge favourite to be the club’s next manager.