Andoni Iraola has announced his departure from La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano as relegated Leeds United look for a new head coach to replace Sam Allardyce.
Then again, whether or not the former Spain international is still an active concern at Elland Road, only time will tell.
Andoni Iraola, according to The Athletic, was one of Leeds United’s top choices to take over from Jesse Marsch at the start of February. That was, however, a time in which Victor Orta was still the club’s director of football.
Orta’s departure – sacked earlier in May after paying the price for some poor signings and the bungled Marcelo Bielsa succession ‘plan’ – only creates further confusion as Leeds prepare for life back in the Championship.
Was Iraola a target of Orta’s specifically? Leeds’ former director of football has a detailed knowledge of Spanish football after all, and Iraola’s sterling work at Rayo Vallecano will have certainly caught his eye.
And, with Orta now gone, is Iraola still an option?
That remains to be seen; the former Athletic Bilbao defender – who played under Bielsa at San Mames – confirming that he will be leaving Vallecano when his contract expires in a matter of weeks.
Will Leeds United go back for Andoni Iraola?
“It’s hard to keep secrets. I’m not going to stay as coach, but I don’t want this to be a farewell,“ Iraola tells 20 Minutos. “The decision has nothing to do with another club.
“I have been very comfortable for three years and I consider that it is the right time (to leave). I am leaving being very lucky. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine it this way.
“Being at Rayo has been even more beautiful than I expected. Qualifying for Europe would not have changed the decision either. The club has tried until the last moment to make me stay.”
Allardyce’s interim contract expired following Sunday’s 4-1 final day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Leeds also targeted Arne Slot back in February, but the Eredivisie winner has now signed a new deal at Feyenoord.
Philippe Clement may still be an option, however, with the former Club Brugge boss expected to leave Monaco.
