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Leeds United's French striker Georginio Rutter (L), Leeds United's Spanish midfielder Marc Roca (C) and Leeds United's German defender Robin Koch (R) react to conceding their sixth goal during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on April 17, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Leeds United seem to have the perfect manager ready and waiting for them in Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola, following his latest comments on the matter.
Leeds had a major task of replacing Jesse Marsch back in February, but their initial search came up short as they scrambled around for a short-term solution to the problem, eventually landing on the ill-fated Javi Gracia.
After a promising start, the Spaniard’s form as Leeds boss fell away with a woeful run of form in April, picking up four points from a favourable run, while conceding a Premier League record for a single month (23).
Where could Leeds look for a manager this summer?
When looking at what Leeds could do this summer, we sound like a broken record when underlining the fact that everything hinges on these final two games of the season, with survival making a huge difference to the calibre of coaches Leeds can look at.
The search is going to take place under different eyes with Victor Orta no longer at the club, but some recruitment staff have remained, and that could mean a reignited approach for failed February target Andoni Iraola.
The Spaniard had his Rayo Vallecano side massively overachieving this season, as they sit fifth in La Liga around the time of talks between Leeds and his representatives, with his club not willing to allow him to leave, despite suggestions he would have been keen to take the job.
Vallecano have dropped off somewhat since this run, winning just three times in the league since Marsch was sacked in early February and he was touted for the job, but an 11th-place standing with their budget is still an outstanding position.
Will Leeds stay up?
Would Iraola be keen on the job?
One thing is clear, that if Leeds are in a position to appoint the out-of-contract manager this summer, he’s one they have to go all out for, especially after his latest comments strongly suggest he’d be willing.
As he spoke to Sky Sports on the failed talks, this came out about his thoughts on Leeds and the Premier League:
“You cannot think in things that could have happened. It was what it was.
“I think it was a very open decision. We talked to the club, and Leeds were also very open with Rayo Vallecano. We talked for one day, ‘OK, it’s not the moment, it’s over.’ It is nothing more than that.
“I am very pleased that they thought of me as an option, but I am also very happy here working for Rayo Vallecano. I hope they finish the season well, but right now we are doing well, so we are not thinking too much about that.
“I think that, right now, the Premier League is probably the top league, because in the end it’s about budget, about money, and right now they are by far the richest league.
“But I don’t know if later I will have the chance I want [to manage there].”
For us, those comments indicate that Iraola is hoping for Elland Road survival in the back end of May, where his phone is likely to get a second call from Andrea Radrizzani or the San Francisco 49ers about the vacant position, with Sam Allardyce to leave once this season concludes.
The chance Iraola “wants” is waiting for him if we stay up, and it would be a shrewd coup.