Andoni Iraola, Leeds, Whites, Elland Road, Premier League
Leeds United seemingly have Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola as their ‘favourite candidate’ to take over from Jesse Marsch, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: Corberan signs new deal
The Whites appeared to have West Brom manager Carlos Corberan as one of their top targets to take over at Elland Road. However, the former Leeds assistant penned a new contract at The Hawthorns on Tuesday evening.
Phil Hay has stated that Iraola is a manager who those at Leeds admire, and it looks as if he could now be the club’s key target.
The Latest: Iraola update
Romano took to Twitter in the early hours of Wednesday morning to share what he knows about Leeds’ hunt for a new boss.
The reliable reporter stated that the club have a three-man shortlist, but the focus is now on Iraola as the ‘favourite candidate’ to replace Marsch, with talks ongoing.
The Verdict: Smart move?
Iraola, a former captain under Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, has impressed in Spain with Vallecano, who currently sit fifth in La Liga. He has masterminded a win over Real Madrid and a draw with table toppers Barcelona, averaging 1.53 points per game in his 118 games in charge.
All Leeds TV presenter Oscar Marrio believes that the Spaniard has a philosophy that is ‘high pressing, possession-based football with a heavy emphasis on maintaining width’, something that could please the masses at Elland Road following Bielsa’s time in Yorkshire.
The likes of Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra, Crysecio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto could all benefit from Iraola’s tactics of maintaining width, and following Marsch’s style of focusing on a narrow style of play, it could be a welcome change for the players.
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