Leeds United are definitely considering the possibility of making Andoni Iraola the successor to Jesse Marsch at Elland Road over the coming days.
What’s the latest?
The Whites are now days on from sacking the American after the weekend’s disappointment which ultimately proved to be the final straw for the Leeds board.
However, there is yet to be any major breakthrough in their pursuit to find a replacement with names still circulating as potential candidates.
But one name which has emerged as a strong candidate for the vacancy in Yorkshire is the Rayo Vallecano manager, Iraola.
Indeed, speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast, journalist Graham Smyth has been sharing his insight on the Whites’ interest in the 40-year-old:
“He’s certainly done a very good job in taking a small team into La Liga and not only taking them into La Liga, but doing very, very well.
“In fact, it almost mirrors what Bielsa himself did – you know, that top-10 finish with Leeds in his first season in the Prem. So he’s definitely being considered. He’s definitely one of the ones that they like.”
Strong interest
The young Spanish manager has worked wonders at Rayo Vallecano this season with the relative minnows mixing it with the biggest sides the country has to offer.
Having only returned to the Spanish top flight last season, Iraola guided them to a 12th-place finish after finishing the campaign on 42 points.
However, he is taking the club another step forward this season and has almost equalled last season’s points tall as they sit in fifth spot of the table.
And with European football seemingly a real possibility this season, only three points separate them and fourth place Atletico Madrid.
Although there is still a long way to go in the season, it would feel like a potential risk to depart the Spanish side at this stage in their season to make the move to a struggling Premier League side in Leeds.
Granted, the Premier League can prove too much of an opportunity to turn down for many within the world of football.
But Iraola may feel an obligation to finish off the project which he has clearly started with the Spanish side given he was the one to turn around their fortunes and take them back to the top flight.