Leeds United are now close to admitting defeat in their hopes to convince Andoni Iraola to be their next manager. Elland Road chiefs are now debating short-term options to come in.
That is according to The Guardian, which reports Leeds are now increasingly accepting that Iraola will not leave Rayo Vallecano. The Whites had hoped to tempt the Spaniard to leave the La Liga outfit for the Premier League. But they recognise he is unwilling to depart now.
Iraola was the name atop of Leeds’ shortlist for coaches who could replace Jesse Marsch at the helm. Yet the club acknowledges he loyalties to the Estadio de Vallecas natives and desires to stay until June at the earliest. So, the Whites will now eye an interim appointment.
Interest in Iraola becoming the next manager of Leeds could resurface at the end of the La Liga season. But the threat of relegation will see the Elland Road outfit now look for a boss who can steady their ship. The West Yorkshire natives sit 17th in the Premier League table.
Hope is high at Elland Road that Leeds will name an interim manager before they travel to Everton on Saturday. The Toffees are just one point behind the Whites in 18th place ahead of the relegation six-pointer. AFC Bournemouth, who visit Wolves, are also one point back.
Leeds would break the bank to make Rayo Vallecano boss Iraola their next manager
Leeds are willing to break the bank to make Rayo Vallecano boss Iraola their next manager right now. Marca reports the Whites would pay €8m (£7m) to trigger a release clause in his contract at the Estadio de Vallecas. But the 40-year-old would have had to pay the clause.
Iraola opposed triggering his release clause and be seen as walking away from the job that truly launched his career. He has guided Rayo Vallecano to promotion since taking over in August 2020 after spells at lower-tier teams. They also now rank sixth in La Liga this term.
The Spaniard not wishing to turn his back on Rayo Vallecano impressed Jermaine Beckford. He admitted to Sky Sports News (09/02, 10:07): “There’s an element of him not turning up now that I quite admire because it shows that he’s committed to the cause.”
Leeds hero Beckford added: “I’m hoping it won’t be the end, to be honest, because he’s done really, really well and the team he’s managed to get to fifth in La Liga on one of the smallest budgets playing some pretty good, exciting football.”
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