FC Lorient manager Regis le Bris is expected to take over at Ligue 1 rivals Nice in a blow to Leeds United’s hopes of hiring a replacement for Sam Allardyce at Elland Road.
While Steven Gerrard needs no introduction – The Athletic reporting that the former Liverpool and England midfielder is emerging as a leading candidate to take over at Leeds – you cannot say the same of a man who’s name will be met with a rather puzzled reaction in the rolling hills of West Yorkshire.
The Sun reported last week that Regis le Bris had joined Gerrard in the frame to become Leeds’ new head coach.
But what the 47-year-old lacks in experience and reputation, he makes up for in potential.
Leeds United could miss out on Regis le Bris
Le Bris took Ligue 1 by storm during his first ever season in senior management, guiding FC Lorient to a top-half finish in 2022/23 despite losing his two star attackers – Terem Moffi and Dango Ouattara – during the January window.
The Brittany-born tactician, who spent a decade as Lorient’s academy manager before finding himself in the hot seat, got the best out of Moffi and Ouattara with his dynamic, positive approach, while helping transform the scintillating Enzo le Fee into one of the division’s most exciting midfielders.
And the expectation is that, despite signing a new deal until 2027 just a few months ago, Le Bris will bring an end to his long association with Lorient this summer. L’Equipe say that a parting of the ways feels inevitable after a dispute over the club’s transfer policy.
Who will be Leeds new manager?
Leeds look likely to miss out, however; RMC Sport claiming that Le Bris has instead agreed to take over at Nice.
A Nice side who continue to underwhelm. That is despite the ambition and the funds provided by British billionaire – and prospective Manchester United owner – Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Leeds, meanwhile, are not exactly negotiating from a position of strength; no director of football in place, and a chairman in Andrea Radrizzani who appears to be focusing his attention on Sampdoria instead.
Gerrard remains a candidate, however. While Andoni Iraola and Philippe Clement – both of whom were linked following Jesse Marsch’s sacking in February – will be free-agents this summer after leaving Rayo Vallecano and Monaco respectively.
“(Gerrard) is a very good fit for the fans. For the high-energy football he wants to play,” Arsenal legend Martin Keown tells talkSPORT (5 June, 12pm).
“There are a lot of players in that team who want to press high.”
“Stevie wants to play on the front foot and press. He had success at Rangers doing it. His next job needs to be a team where he can play that way,” adds Gerrard’s former team-mate Danny Murphy.
“If Leeds had stayed in the Prem, I don’t think playing the football he wants would have been ideal. They would get hammered.
“But in the Championship, he should go that way. His philosophy suits what Leeds want to do next season.”
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