Sources: Leeds United back in talks with Andoni Iraola as manager search takes new twist
Leeds United are still working on appointing a manager on a short-term deal despite seemingly calling a halt to their search in the last 24 hours, sources have told Football Insider.
The Whites confirmed on their official channels on Tuesday afternoon that Michael Skubala will continue to lead the team for the upcoming fixtures, starting with the must-win game against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
It is believed Leeds have taken that decision to give themselves some breathing space in their manager search and remove some of the immediate scrutiny.
Behind the scenes, club chiefs led by director of football Victor Orta are still working on multiple options, including a potential interim appointment should results not go well under Skubala in the upcoming matches, as well as a full-time hire to start in the summer.
Discussions are still continuing with Andoni Iraola, 40, who is out of contract at Spanish club Rayo Vallecano at the end of the season.
Leeds recognise their precarious league position and how things have the potential to unravel in the coming weeks without an experienced manager in charge.
United have struggled to source a permanent replacement for Marsch, who was dismissed on Monday last week.
Attempts to bring in Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot were unsuccessful, with both too difficult to prise from their current roles.
Skubala has not been appointed until the end of the season, but Leeds regard this as a better option than hiring an interim coach while they try to find Marsch’s permanent replacement.
Skubala has done a fine job during his time in the hotseat, considering he has little to no experience of coaching at a professional first-team level.
Stepping up from the club’s Under-21s, he has helped steady the ship and has overseen signs of progress on the field.
The club had hoped to make a quick appointment with owner Andrea Radrizzani taking to social media to make it clear the club were hoping for ‘white smoke’ just one day after sacking Marsch.
Ten days from that tweet, United’s hierarchy haven’t made an appointment, making it clear they will bide their time and wait for the right man to emerge.
Those active on social media have aired their frustrations with the situation as the club teeter on the edge of the relegation zone with just 16 league games to play.
In other news, it’s Leeds United all over again as Southampton dressing room mutiny leads to Marsch deal collapse.