---
title: "Leeds: Andoni Iraola keen to explore Elland Road job"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/andoni-iraola-keen-leeds-manager-latest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2023-02-12T14:40:29Z"
modified: "2023-02-12T14:40:29Z"
---

# Leeds: Andoni Iraola keen to explore Elland Road job

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) target Andoni Iraola appears to be keen to explore the Elland Road managerial vacancy, according to Phil Hay for [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4184783/2023/02/11/leeds-manager-hunt-orta/).**

### The Lowdown: Second approach?

The Whites have found it tough going in their search to replace Jesse Marsch, with Iraola a leading candidate. Sporting director Victor Orta [flew to Spain](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11736663/Arne-Slot-manager-turn-Leeds-United-managers-job.html) looking to seal a deal for the Rayo Vallecano boss during the week, but as we know, he returned to England empty-handed.

[Reports](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-united-andoni-iraola-manager-news-rumours-latest-update/) have suggested that the club could make a second approach for the 40-year-old, who appears to be open to the idea of moving to Yorkshire.

### The Latest: Iraola interested in Leeds job

Hay shared a story for [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/4184783/2023/02/11/leeds-manager-hunt-orta/) on Saturday, looking at the club’s pursuit of a new manager.

When it came to Iraola, the reliable Leeds correspondent said: *“Iraola has tried to be respectful to Rayo Vallecano and their president, Martin Presa, but he told his club that Leeds was an opportunity he wanted to explore and, if a final offer was there, an opportunity he was tempted to take.”*

[![Latest Leeds United updates (Copy)](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-copy-2/)

### The Verdict: Still possible?

It looks as if a move for Iraola could still be possible, although a [release clause](https://theathletic.com/4184783/2023/02/11/leeds-manager-hunt-orta/#:~:text=contract%20includes%20a-,release%20clause,-but%20the%20process) in his contract appears to be a potential stumbling block. However, if the Whites are adamant that he is their man, then perhaps a deal can be finalised, hopefully over the coming days.

Journalist Nick Emms has [described](https://twitter.com/NJEmms/status/1623090071816609793?s=20&t=J-OQuTlCBTfaYLRnvjZfmA) the young manager as ‘[fantastic](https://twitter.com/NJEmms/status/1623065131860246528?s=20&t=J-OQuTlCBTfaYLRnvjZfmA)‘ and a ‘[really exciting’](https://twitter.com/NJEmms/status/1623090071816609793?s=20&t=J-OQuTlCBTfaYLRnvjZfmA) potential option at Elland Road, and with Iraola seemingly interested, you’d like to think that this managerial link could still have legs.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418869″\]

The job he has done with Rayo Vallecano is impressive, guiding them to [fifth](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/andoni-iraola/leistungsdatenLigenNational/trainer/60677) in the current La Liga table within [two years](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/andoni-iraola/leistungsdatenLigenNational/trainer/60677) of getting them promoted to the top flight.

Time is ticking with two crucial fixtures against Everton and Southampton to come, so the sooner that a new manager can be brought in the better – even if it is an interim boss, as has been [speculated](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11731005/Leeds-turn-interim-manager-targets-turn-post.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490).