Leeds manager news: Whites-linked coach backs new favourite to take job

Follow us on Google Discover

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has backed Alfred Schreuder to succeed at Leeds United should the Whites appoint the former Ajax boss, who is now the new favourite to take over at Elland Road.

Speaking to NOS, the Eredivisie boss, who himself has been strongly linked with the vacant Leeds job, tipped his fellow countryman to flourish in Yorkshire with the Premier League side, with Schreuder being spotted in attendance at the Whites this weekend in their 2-0 loss against Manchester United.

Slot said about Schreuder being appointed by Leeds: “Leeds are a wonderful club. Few trainers are given the opportunity to work in the Premier League. You had Ten Hag, Koeman and Van Gaal. Quite a nice list to get into. And then I forget Frank de Boer’s few matches at Crystal Palace. Leeds would be a wonderful club for Alfred.”

The Feyenoord coach had been one of the favourites to take the Leeds job since Jesse Marsch’s sacking earlier this month. However, Slot has done well in distancing himself with the role as Schreuder, who was dismissed by Ajax in January, now the new favourite to take the position.

The former Club Brugge and TSG Hoffenheim manager only lasted six months as Erik Ten Hag’s replacement in Amsterdam this season before a horrific run of form in the league saw Schreuder sacked from the job, though the Dutchman now looks set for an immediate return back into coaching with Leeds.

Indeed, given that the Yorkshire side have missed out on their top two candidates in Slot and Andoni Iraola, moving to appoint Schreuder could be viewed by many as a sideways step for Leeds, especially with the 50-year-old failing as much as he did with Ajax this season in the Dutch league.

Leeds could be making a massive mistake in appointing Schreuder

Leeds’ entire process of sacking Marsch and then failing to have a certain successor in mind was always going to backfire, and the Whites could soo be about to make a huge mistake in appointing Schreuder as the man to take over the hot seat at Elland Road.

Having failed with Ajax this season, there’s every chance that the Dutch coach could experience a similar disaster with Leeds, yet unlike in Amsterdam, the Yorkshire side could well be relegated back down the Championship, a reality few supporters will stand for.