Leeds United made a move for Monaco manager Philippe Clement as the Premier League strugglers continue their search for a Jesse Marsch replacement at Elland Road, according to De Telegraaf.
There appears to be a very real chance that Marsch will be back on the top flight stage before Leeds have even secured his successor.
The 49-year-old former RB Leipzig boss, talkSPORT say, is already in talks to replace Nathan Jones at Southampton, just one week after his sacking at Elland Road.
And some rather probing questions may soon be asked about why Leeds opted to hand Marsch his P45 without an immediate successor ready to take his place. Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot have already rebuffed Leeds’ advances, leaving the Yorkshire giants in a rather awkward position ahead of Saturday’s crucial six-pointer against Sean Dyche’s Everton.
Marcelo Gallardo, meanwhile, is not interested in a mid-season job, while talks with ex-Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder collapsed on Monday.
Leeds United still looking for Jesse Marsch’s replacement
Clement, a one-time Coventry City defender, is one of the more ambitious names on Leeds’ hitlist. The 48-year-old Belgian, after all, is already in situ at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Monaco are third in France’s Ligue 1, seven points off PSG and chasing Champions League qualification.
Clement only took over at the 2017 Champions League semi-finalists 13 months ago. The two-time Belgian Coach of the Year also has three Jupiler League winners’ medals adorning his CV; two earned at Club Brugge, and one at KRC Genk.
“His teams play with great intensity and daring, including on the European stage,” Monaco’s former Tottenham Hotspur director Paul Mitchell says of Clement.
“His ability to combine titles and the development of young players have made him one of the most prominent and successful coaches in Europe in recent years.”
You can see why Leeds like Clement. Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta, as demonstrated by their interest in both Slot and Iraola, are targeting a young, up-and-coming coach with a penchant for improving individual players, giving youth a chance, and priding themselves upon an exciting, attack-minded style of football.
Clement ticks all those boxes. But, with Monaco flying high and his contract running until 2024, Leeds supporters hoping to see Clement arrive should avoid holding their breath.
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