Former Ajax Amsterdam coach Alfred Schreuder
After taking in Leeds United’s latest defeat, Adam Pope has claimed Alfred Schreuder is indeed in contention to land the managerial job.
The Lowdown: Leeds turn to Schreuder
It has been a pretty hectic week for Leeds as they sacked Jesse Marsch before taking on bitter rivals Manchester United twice in the space of a few days while trying to land a new manager.
Schreuder – who was recently sacked by Ajax – was in attendance for Sunday’s game at Elland Road, which could suggest he is fairly high up on the club’s list of potential managers.
However, it arguably wouldn’t be an inspiring appointment given how poor his tenure at Ajax was considering the impressive squad he had at his disposal, but that doesn’t appear to have put off Victor Orta or Andrea Radrizzani.
The Latest: Schreuder is on the list
The Dutch coach is said to be on the list for Leeds as they scramble around for a new manager before their huge relegation clash against Everton this weekend
Speaking on the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Pope said: “He clearly seems to be one of the candidates, but if you go back next week and go, hang on, this is where we’re at, if you want this, Iraola – or whoever – then it could still be there for you, what happens if Schreuder decides, ‘I’m not quite sure’ if it’s offered to him? Definitely in the mix, though.”
The Verdict: Another risky appointment
Leeds took a huge gamble around this time last year when they appointed Marsch as Marcelo Bielsa’s successor despite him having no top-flight experience in England, and it showed as he struggled to get his team playing the way that suited his tactics and style.
The fact that Schreuder went out without much of a fight at Ajax should certainly have alarm bells ringing amongst the Leeds fans, but even more so is the fact the board seemingly don’t have an issue with his poor record this term.
We think Schreuder would be a major gamble and one that Leeds can’t afford to take given their precarious league position – especially if the Dutch coach would come and make ‘really silly‘ tactical decisions as he did at Ajax, such as playing Dusan Tadic on the wing, which seemingly didn’t lead to much success.
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