Leeds United manager latest: Contact confirmed as Dutch tactician responds, with dream option ruled out
The search for a new Leeds United manager is continuing after another contender ruled himself out of the running, while reports say a second has as well.
Leeds sacked Jesse Marsch on February 6, since they were only out of the relegation zone on goal difference at the time. Results just had not been coming for the American coach. Indeed, he left at the end of a run of two wins in 17 Premier League games.
Now, Leeds are continuing the search for Marsch’s replacement. Several of the candidates they have been considering have fallen out of contention.
For example, the likes of Carlos Corberan, Andoni Iraola and Marcelo Gallardo have turned down the chance of taking over.
Consequently, Leeds have been focusing on Feyenoord’s Arne Slot as a potential alternative. Reports recently revealed they had even gone as far as making an offer to him. But now, the Dutchman has also backed away from the Leeds job, despite classing their interest as a compliment.
Slot said on Friday at a press conference: “I’m staying, I’m just staying trainer of Feyenoord. I can say that now.
“There has been contact between the clubs, but we are working on something beautiful here.”
Slot led Feyenoord to the Europa Conference League final last season, where they lost to Roma. Domestically, he guided them to a third-place finish in the 2021-22 Eredivisie.
In turn, Slot won the award for the Dutch top flight’s manager of the year, ahead of future Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag, for example.
This term, his side are into the Europa League knockout phase. Better still, they are currently top of the Eredivisie after 20 games.
It is not the right moment, then, for Leeds to be able to tempt the 44-year-old away.
Leeds United also learn Pochettino won’t be next manager
Another candidate who won’t be ending up at Elland Road is Mauricio Pochettino. According to Diario La Nacion, the former Southampton and Tottenham boss has also rejected the chance of taking over in West Yorkshire.
For the time being, Leeds will have to continue with the interim management team of Chris Armas and Michael Skubala.
Their options are running out for a successor to Marsch, but they will have to find one soon. After all, it would be hard to navigate their remaining 17 matches of the Premier League season without a permanent head coach.
The next one on the calendar is against Manchester United on Sunday, a few days after the 2-2 draw between the two clubs in the reverse fixture, which was Leeds’ first game since the sacking of Marsch.
