Would bookies contender getting Everton job hurt Leeds’ hopes if they wanted permanent Matthew Pennington deal?

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Leeds United may perhaps have one eye on what Everton decide in their search for their new manager.

When he has been fit, there can be no doubt that Matthew Pennington has proved to be an excellent addition to the Leeds squad having arrived at Elland Road from Everton on loan in the summer.

The centre-back has brought some real quality to the role, and his performance alongside Liam Cooper in the weekend win over Bristol City certainly hints that Leeds could have a fantastic partnership on their hands that leaves Pontus Jansson down the pecking order – something that would have seemed unthinkable last term.

Therefore, it would certainly be no surprise if Leeds tried their luck in the summer and attempted to bring the centre-back in on a permanent basis.

The 23-year-old’s future appears to be in the top flight, so it seems unlikely that the Toffees will sanction a move – but perhaps the Merseyside club appointing one of the bookies’ contenders to become Ronald Koeman’s successor would harm the Whites’ hopes even further.

David Unsworth is the 5/1 fourth favourite for the job with SkyBet, and would arguably be one of the most sensible appointments available given his knowledge of the club, having worked as the Toffees’ under-23s manager since 2014.

That job has meant that he has played an absolutely vital role in Pennington’s development over the last few years, and so it would not be particularly surprising at all if he looked at the youngster as one of the players who could freshen up an ageing defensive unit, especially if he feels that he is the ideal coach to help him realise his potential.

That would surely take any kind of move for Pennington off the table unless a club could offer the kind of fee that Everton simply could not turn down – and it would arguably be a surprise if Leeds could do that, even if they are promoted this summer.

So perhaps, if Leeds do harbour any hopes of bringing the centre-back in on a permanent basis, they will be hoping that it is one of the other names reportedly in the frame who is given the job in the hope that they are open to the idea of letting Pennington leave.