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Leeds manager latest: ‘Serious contender’ in attendance at Man Utd match two weeks after sack from last job

Alfred Schreuder, September 2022

Leeds United have identified another candidate to replace Jesse Marsch as their manager, with a new target in attendance for Sunday’s match against Manchester United, according to the latest reports.

Marsch lost his job as Leeds boss earlier this month after less than a year in charge. At the time of his dismissal, Leeds were only outside the relegation zone on goal difference. Hence, they want to entrust someone else with the task of keeping them up.

However, several of the options they have looked at have been beyond their grasp. The likes of Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot will not be taking the job.

It has led to recent links with former Aston Villa manager, Steven Gerrard. But according to the Daily Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath, a different candidate is now seriously being considered.

Shortly before kick-off of their match against Man Utd on Sunday, McGrath tweeted that former Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder is in attendance at Elland Road.

Schreuder was sacked by Ajax a couple of weeks ago, but has already become a “serious contender” to step into Premier League management with Leeds, according to McGrath.

Ajax gave Schreuder the job of replacing, coincidentally, current Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag in the summer. But things did not go to plan, with the Dutch champions off the pace in their title defence.

There were also strong accusations against Schreuder from Daley Blind when the former Man Utd defender left Ajax in January. According to Blind, Schreuder refused to speak to him in training after an altercation at half-time of a disappointing match.

Schreuder now faces having to restore his own reputation after Ajax decided he ought to leave as well.

Leeds manager latest sees Schreuder linked

But the 50-year-old could be in line to land his next job pretty soon if Leeds decide he could be the right man to take them forward.

Prior to his time in charge of Ajax, Schreuder was briefly in charge of Club Brugge, where he worked with former Leeds targets, Noa Lang and Charles De Ketelaere. Before that, he served as Ronald Koeman’s assistant at Barcelona. He has also held managerial roles with Twente and Hoffenheim in the past.

Options are running out for Leeds, so it seems he could be a contender to succeed Marsch. It is getting to a stage where the club just need some stability of knowing who can guide them for the rest of the season at least.

There could be some concerns about Schreuder due to his recent past. However, any appointment will deserve a chance and cannot be judged too much before they get started.

Leeds’ first game after getting rid of Marsch was a 2-2 draw with Man Utd in midweek, before their return fixture on Sunday. Right now, Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas are overseeing things on an interim basis.

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