Leeds United
Championship
Next Leeds Utd manager: Favoured candidate warned off, as Radrizzani hints whether new boss will face Man Utd
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot has been advised that it ‘would be very unwise’ to become the new Leeds United manager, with chairman Andrea Radrizzani hinting whether the new boss will be installed ahead of their game against Manchester United.
The Dutch coach has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace Jesse Marsch after the American was sacked on Monday following a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Feyenoord are currently top of the Eredivisie table and boast a real chance of securing their first league title since 2017.
With that in mind, it could be a risky move for Slot to turn down the chance of glory in the Netherlands in favour of a relegation battle with Leeds.
The Whites are currently in 17th place in the Premier League and only outside the bottom three on goal difference. They’ve won just four of their 20 opening matches and only twice since August.
Now, they have a big challenge ahead to avoid relegation.
While Bournemouth and Southampton look to be in real danger, the likes of Everton, Wolves, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leicester all arguably have the quality – or momentum at least – to survive.
With that in mind, Leeds will be battling with those clubs to avoid returning to the Championship.
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan had been heavily linked with the vacant job, but he has recently signed a new contract at the Hawthorns. The Spaniard committed his future until 2027.
Now, the remaining top candidates seem to be Slot, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola, with Leeds’ sporting director Victor Orta jetting to Spain for negotiations with the latter.
Majority owner Radrizzani suggested a new appointment was close on Tuesday when tweeting: “We are on it… hopefully white smoke by tonight or [tomorrow] morning.”
Both those deadlines have since passed and with a trip to Old Trafford on the horizon on Wednesday night, Radrizzani has hinted the next permanent manager won’t be installed in time to face the Red Devils.
He added on Wednesday lunchtime: “Not yet… need more time. Let’s support the lads now. Keep you posted.”
It would be ‘unwise’ for Slot to join Leeds, says journo
As mentioned, Slot’s success at Feyenoord has attracted the interest of Leeds, but he has been advised against leaving the Dutch club at this stage.
Indeed, Soccer News journalist Bjorn Thimister has argued that a switch to the Premier League would be ill-advised.
He states the 44-year-old has ‘surprised everyone’ this season, performing the ‘near impossible’ after creating a team that plays ‘good football’ with players who clearly want to work for each other.
Indeed, Slot has turned Feyenoord into a ‘real team’ and has managed to ‘transfer his tactical inspirations’ onto them, hence the interest from Leeds and other top European clubs.
However, Thimister suggests that moving to Elland Road would be too much of a risk, with the potential downside to it far ‘too high’ for him to risk ruining what he has achieved so far this season.
The journalist also adds that his work in Rotterdam is ‘not yet finished’ and it would be ‘unwise’ to depart at this stage and would leave Feyenoord with a void they probably wouldn’t be able to fill.
If Slot is successful in winning the Eredivisie this season, there is no doubt that he will get a top job abroad anyway, so there is no need for him to rush to Leeds now.
Regardless, it now looks like the Whites have turned their attention to Iraola, who has been a real success with Rayo Vallecano. The Spanish side currently sit a remarkable fifth in LaLiga.