Leeds United may have to trigger a £9 million release clause in Andoni Iraola’s contract if the Premier League strugglers are serious about replacing Jesse Marsch with the higly-rated Rayo Vallecano coach, according to Union Rayo.
Two years ago, Bayern Munich stumped up over £20 million to free Julian Nagelsmann from his RB Leipzig contract; handing the Bavaria native his dream job at the Allianz Arena.
Iraola, the up-and-coming 40-year-old making quite the impression at Rayo Vallecano, would not command a sum quite so staggering.
But, if Leeds want to hire the former Spain international, the Yorkshire giants would have to make Iraola the fourth-most expensive managerial appointment of all time, behind only Nagelsmann, Graham Potter and Andre Villas-Boas. Level with Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers.
Leeds United target Andoni Iraola after Jesse Marsch exit
Iraola is reportedly protected by a £9 million clause. Rayo, meanwhile, have no intention of bartering a lower fee for a coach who has Los Franjirrojos dreaming of Champions League football for the very first time.
Rayo are fifth; just three points off stuttering Atletico Madrid. They beat Almeria 2-0 during a comfortable Monday night in Vallecas.
“Football belongs to the footballers,” Iraola said at full-time, distancing himself from those Elland Road rumours while talking up the influence of his in-form players in Rayo’s surprise European push.
“The coaches are not so important. The players make us look better, and I am lucky that I have players with (such a high) level.”
Carlos Corberan stays at West Brom
Iraola, per The Athletic, is one of the frontrunners to take over from Marsch. Director Victor Orta, the Daily Mail add, is currently in Spain in an attempt to negotiate Iraola’s exit, with Feyenoord coach Arne Slot a potential alternative.
Carlos Corberan, however, is out of the running; signing a new deal with West Brom on Tuesday night.
“I am delighted,” says West Brom chief Ron Gourlay. “My admiration (for Corberan) has only grown since he arrived here.
“His passion for the game we all love has been infectious for all connected with the club. Not least our players, who have clearly benefitted from Carlos’ first-class coaching, tactical knowhow, and attention to detail.
“We sat down three weeks ago to discuss the future of the club. Together, we are determined to continue taking the club forwards.”
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