---
title: "Leeds: Ben Jacobs makes Nuno Espirito Santo claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-ben-jacobs-nuno-espirito-santo-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2023-02-17T13:40:28Z"
modified: "2023-02-17T13:40:28Z"
---

# Leeds: Ben Jacobs makes Nuno Espirito Santo claim

**Journalist [Ben Jacobs](https://twitter.com/JacobsBen?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) has said that ‘there are legs’ in speculation linking [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) with a move for Nuno Espirito Santo.**

### The Lowdown: Nuno rumours

Nuno appears to be on the Elland Road managerial radar despite the club confirming this week that Michael Skubala will remain in temporary charge.

[Reports](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-interview-nuno-espirito-santo-manager-update/) have suggested that an interview has been held between the Whites and the Al-Ittihad manager, who is a surprise contender to take over in Yorkshire. There has even been [speculation](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-nuno-espirito-santo-manager-update-release-clause/) claiming that Leeds plan to pay Nuno’s €5m release clause.

### The Latest: Jacobs’ comments

Talking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/leeds-latest-news-links-49-yo-manager-has-legs-elland-road/), Jacobs appeared to confirm that Leeds are eyeing the former Wolves and Tottenham manager. However, the journalist then said that moves for either Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard could be a worry.

*“There are legs in the Nuno Espirito Santo links and he’s a manager that comes with Premier League experience.*

*“I think that there’s more of a worry around Lampard or Gerrard. Gerrard is probably, of those two, the one that has been more closely linked because Leeds need a manager with a proven capability of firefighting. It’s not easy to walk into that Leeds United dressing room mid-season.”*

[![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: Needed

As Jacobs mentions, Nuno has the Premier League experience that appears to be required at Leeds right now. Without a top flight victory since November, the Whites find themselves in another battle to avoid the drop, with Nuno impressing in Saudi Arabia, winning his last [seven](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nuno-espirito-santo/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/16520) games.

Even if the worst was to happen and Leeds were to be relegated back to the Championship, the 49-year-old has experience of guiding a club back to the Premier Legaue, winning the second-tier title at Molineux.

Overall, Nuno has [211](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nuno-espirito-santo/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/16520) wins as a manager from [428](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nuno-espirito-santo/leistungsdatenDetail/trainer/16520) games, so he could be the ideal candidate at this moment in time after moves for [Raul](https://metro.co.uk/2023/02/07/real-madrid-legend-raul-turns-down-leeds-manager-job-18237390/), [Carlos Corberan](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-manager-carlos-corberan-quits-the-race-after-being-offered-18-month-deal/), [Andoni Iraola](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/13/leeds-target-interim-manager-after-move-for-andoni-iraola-fails), [Arne Slot](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12807628/leeds-turned-down-by-arne-slot-as-feyenoord-boss-says-approach-from-premier-league-was-a-compliment) and [Marcelo Gallardo](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/marcelo-gallardo-latest-manager-rumours-updates/) failed to go through.