According to TNT Sports, Leeds United are now trying to hire Gerardo Martino as their new manager, and previous comments from Lionel Messi will surely encourage the Elland Road faithful.
Leeds United linked with Gerardo Martino
TNT Sports have reported that Leeds have identified Martino as a potential candidate for the vacant managerial role at Elland Road.
The West Yorkshire club sacked Jesse Marsch as their manager last week.
Leeds are in real danger of getting relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.
The Whites are 17th in the Premier League table at the moment with 19 points from 22 matches, just a point above the relegation zone.
Interestingly, Marsch could reportedly become the new manager of Southampton, who recently sacked Nathan Jones as their boss.
Anyway, back to Leeds and Martino…
TNT Sports are reporting that Leeds are keen on the former Barcelona boss, but he would ideally like to wait until the summer of 2023 to take over the first team.
Now, it remains to be seen if the Whites are able to convince the 60-year-old Argentine boss now.
Barcelona and Argentina international forward Messi played under his compatriot at Camp Nou.
Martino was in charge of Barcelona during the 2013-14 season.
Barca did not win the La Liga title or the UEFA Champions League that campaign.
Lionel Messi’s previous comments on Gerardo Martino
However, Messi, now at Paris Saint-Germain, rates Martino highly.
Before the 60-year-old got the job at Barcelona, the former Barcelona forward raved about him.
Messi said, as quoted in The Guardian in July 2013: “I like Tata Martino.
“He is a great coach and he showed that in the Clausura with what he did for the team, the way it ended and how he did it.
“He gets his teams playing well and we all respect him.”
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