Leeds United

Leeds United

Championship

Next Leeds manager: Whites to turn to fantastic title-winning coach as their next boss with Allardyce decision made

Sam Allardyce Leeds United interim manager - pic via LUFC TV

Leeds United are turning their thoughts to next season and have their sights on a new big-name manager to take charge in succession to Sam Allardyce.

The former England boss was drafted in by Leeds with just four games remaining this season and in a desperate last roll of the dice. He took over a Leeds side in serious danger of relegation after clocking up just seven wins all season. And after taking just one point from his first three games, Allardyce and Leeds have now slipped to an even-more-precarious 19th.

Their relegation fate will finally come to a head on Sunday when they take on Tottenham at Elland Road. But truth be told, Leeds now need a miracle and need a win alongside both Everton and Leicester dropping points. Even then, an Everton draw means Leeds will need to beat Tottenham 3-0 to secure survival.

With the odds stacked against them, Leeds are likely to be facing Championship football next season. But unlike previous instances, they will hope that their stay back in the second tier proves a brief one.

And in the event of relegation, it appears uncertain whether Allardyce will be asked to continue at helm. His four-game, £500,000 contract is due to end after Sunday’s clash at Elland Road.

As a result, The Athletic claims Leeds are considering the appointment of Brendan Rodgers to lead a possible promotion charge.

The 50-year-old is out of work having been axed by Leicester at the beginning of April.

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Outstanding Brendan Rodgers would be serious appointment for Leeds

Having won the FA Cup with the Foxes just two years ago, their downturn this season has come as a shock to many. And the fact that Rodgers could not stop the rot is perhaps his first career failure.

Rodgers has, though, enjoyed plenty of successes in the game, notably leading Leicester to FA Cup glory. He also steered previous club Celtic to back-to-back Trebles, winning a total of seven trophies during his two and a half years at the helm.

Per the report, Rodgers is ‘likely to come into the equation’ for Leeds in the event of relegation.

They do note, however, that it remains to be seen whether former Liverpool boss Rodgers would consider dropping into the Championship.

Having managed at the top level for several seasons now, he does, however have experience of life in the second tier. Indeed, he guided Swansea to the play-offs in 2011 before departing for Anfield.

Overall, Rodgers boasts an excellent record in the game, claiming a 51.5% win record from 689 games. And while that figure is somewhat inflated after his time in Scotland at an extremely dominant Celtic, his record elsewhere still speaks volumes.

For example, and even though his Leicester spell ended badly, he still managed a 45.1% win record there.

Brendan Rodgers into equation to become next Leeds manager

As a result, any move by Leeds – and in the event of relegation – would certainly be a welcome one.

Admittedly, he may have ambitions to continue at the higher level. However, he could yet be tempted by the challenge of leading Leeds’ promotion charge.

Should Leeds manage to somehow avoid the drop – and that is a big if now – then it is also unlikely Allardyce will remain in charge. Reports claim they could turn back to previous target Andoni Iraola should they stay up.

The Spaniard will be more likely to leave Rayo Vallecano come the season’s end, and if Leeds remain a Premier League side.

There was also a school of thought that suggested Marcelo Bielsa could also be lured back. However, those chances are now out the window with Bielsa taking on the Uruguay job instead.

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