Former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer fears the Premier League strugglers might have already missed out on the ‘perfect’ Jesse Marsch replacement after Everton snapped up Sean Dyche, speaking to talkSPORT (7 February, 10.20am).
If this is a sign of things to come from The Toffees between now and the end of May, Leeds’ chances of avoiding a return to the Championship might just have got that little bit smaller.
Everton, during Dyche’s first game in charge, attacked Arsenal with the sort of belief and belligerence that has looked well beyond Leeds during Jesse Marsch’s final few months at Elland Road; James Tarkowski’s winner a goal born in Burnley but made in Merseyside.
“Everton have got Sean Dyche and he’d have been a perfect fit (for Leeds),” says Palmer, the 18-time England international.
“I said when Sean went to Everton that they would not go down.”
Everton hired Sean Dyche shortly before Leeds United sacked Jesse Marsch
Leeds sacked Marsch following Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest; the Whites and Everton now level on points at the bottom of the table. Finding a high-quality replacement may be easier said than done, however. Many of the manager’s admired by Leeds and director of football Victor Orta are currently under contract elsewhere.
Former U23 coach Carlos Corberan, for instance, is only a few months into taking over at West Bromwich Albion.
“Leeds are well in it (the relegation battle). It was the right time to change the manager,” Palmer adds. “And it’s who now they bring in.
“It is a difficult one. Who is available? Corberan is doing a fantastic job at West Brom. He hasn’t really brought anybody in, and they are on an unbelievable run.
“(Leeds need to figure out) which manager is available without having to pay compensation.”
Corberan has won 11 out of 16 games since replacing Steve Bruce at the Hawthorns. He remains under contract until 2025. Julen Lopetegui, another coach Leeds have looked at in the past, is now in charge of Premier League rivals Wolves.
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