Graeme Souness believes Leeds United should now look to name Harry Redknapp or Sam Allardyce as their next manager. They would be the best options, even as a ‘short-term’ fix.
Leeds are still searching for their next manager after firing Jesse Marsch on February 6. He had stood at the Elland Road helm for just under a year. But the Whites felt the American hit the end of the road with the West Yorkshire natives only 17th in the Premier League table.
The Whites remain 17th in the standings after two matches with Manchester United under caretaker boss Michael Skubala. Leeds have also handed their U21 manger the reigns until further notice. But Souness believes Elland Road chiefs must appoint a proven candidate.
Souness also urges Leeds against appointing a new manager without any experience of the Premier League. He feels that by the time a new arrival to the English top-flight gets up to speed with the league, it may then be too late for them to keep the Whites in the division.
So, Leeds should be looking at coaches more in tune with Redknapp and Allardyce as they have the proven records. Redknapp has also emerged as a candidate to replace Marsch in charge. The Mirror reports the 75-year-old has now expressed his interest in the position.
Souness urges Leeds to consider Redknapp, who is open to being their next manager
Redknapp, himself, has since told talkSPORT (17/02, 09:48) that he has not held any talks with Leeds over becoming their next manager. But the former Portsmouth, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur boss – who last managed in 2017 – would be open to the vacancy.
“Yeah, I would do it. I would love it. I wouldn’t say no anywhere but I am not going to get the Leeds job. There’s not a chance. But if someone asked to go in and work there…”
Souness believes Redknapp’s five-and-a-half-years out of the game should not stop Leeds from naming the 2008 FA Cup winner with Portsmouth as their next manager. As, even as a stop-gap until the summer, the game has not moved on to make his appointment futile.
“You are looking at Leeds and others down there, considering candidates who’ve not been involved in our game and who will need time to understand its demands,” Souness wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
“And by the time they get it – if, indeed, they do get it – it could already be too late. So, why not a Harry Redknapp or a Sam Allardyce, even as a short-term fix?
“You need someone who knows the territory, so there are no surprises. I come back to it: there are no new ways of playing our game.”
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