Leeds United were allegedly keen on Spanish boss Victor Sanchez.
Spanish manager Victor Sanchez has told AS that Leeds United made an approach to him after sacking Thomas Christiansen last week, before choosing Paul Heckingbottom.
The Whites sacked Christiansen last week after a 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City, and owner Andrea Radrizzani quickly moved to land Heckingbottom from Yorkshire rivals Barnsley.
Heckingbottom opened with a 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon, but after an impressive stint with Barnsley, there is certainly optimism over the 40-year-old’s reign at Elland Road.
Now, one manager claims that he was contacted by Leeds before Heckingbottom’s appointment, only to eventually lose out on the job to the Yorkshireman.
Spaniard Victor Sanchez has told AS that he spoke to Leeds about the job, but they ultimately went with Heckingbottom, whilst two English clubs also wanted him over the summer.
Sanchez added that, having played against Leeds United in the Champions League for Deportivo La Coruna during his playing days, he felt the atmosphere at Elland Road was ‘incredible’ and he will never forget it.
“Last summer there was contact from two English clubs; one Premier League team and one in the Championship,” said Sanchez. “Two clubs have got in contact with me recently, one of them was Leeds, but in the end they went with another option. All we can do is wait, but we have a very active way of waiting.”
“The thing I remember most [about the Champions League] is the unbelievable atmosphere they generate at English stadiums. Funnily enough, my first experience there was against Leeds in the Champions League quarter finals. They had a great team, with players like Viduka, Kewell, Ferdinand, Harte…They were too good for us on the night in that first leg (3-0), but what most impressed me was the incredible atmosphere at Elland Road, I’ll never forget that for as long as I live,” he added.
The 41-year-old has a patchy managerial record at best, and has been out of work since leaving Real Betis at the end of last season, having won less than 28% of his games in charge of the La Liga side.
Before that, Sanchez was given just two games in charge of Olympiacos and won only 20% of his games in charge of Deportivo, meaning Leeds fans may just feel that Heckingbottom was the right choice.
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