Next Leeds manager: Recent Prem boss eager to take charge after Orta handed double rejection

A manager with Premier League experience is ‘keen’ to become Jesse Marsch’s replacement at Elland Road after learning that two coaches have rejected Leeds United, according to a report.

Marsch was sacked by Leeds on Monday after the club failed to win in seven Premier League matches, putting them under real threat of relegation to the Championship. The Whites soon set their sights on Carlos Corberan of West Brom.

However, he pushed back their advances and instead opted to pen a new contract with West Brom.

Leeds have since begun looking at Feyenoord boss Arne Slot and Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola.

However, they were handed another rejection by Slot on Friday. He told 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.”

According to a recent report from Marca, Iraola is ‘attracted’ by the prospect of taking over at Leeds. However, he is unsure about leaving Rayo mid-season, while the Spanish side are also reluctant to let him go.

As per an update from The Guardian, Leeds are not taking no for an answer when it comes Iraola and will return with a new approach for him.

Victor Orta eyeing La Liga boss but also has English option

And Leeds director of football Victor Orta is even willing to match the 40-year-old’s release clause to bring him to the Premier League. That stands at between £7m-10m.

But in the event that Leeds are still unable to snare Iraola, they do have a backup option in the form of Steven Gerrard.

Football Insider state Gerrard is ‘very keen’ to become the new Leeds boss. He would apparently ‘jump at the chance’ to replace Marsch, having been a free agent since October.

Leeds are currently prioritising Iraola, as he is Orta’s preferred target. But they will likely initiate contact with Gerrard if Iraola stays in La Liga.

Orta kept tabs on Gerrard during his hugely successful time at Rangers. He was even eyeing up the former Liverpool midfielder as a potential replacement for Marcelo Bielsa.

But Gerrard ultimately went to Aston Villa, while Leeds snared Marsch. However, both of those managers are now out of a job.

Gerrard failed to capture the imagination of the Villa players or the fans. He was accused of being stubborn and having no Plan B when his preferred tactics did not work.

Leeds fans may be worried about their club bringing Gerrard on board. He has no experience in getting a team out of a relegation scrap.

Everton, in contrast, have done well to land former Burnley boss Sean Dyche. He knows exactly what needs doing to prevent relegation and can succeed on a shoestring budget, too.

Luckily for Leeds fans, Gerrard is not the only alternative to Iraola being considered. They are also looking at Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard may not be the most inspiring choice, but he has a lot more experience managing in the Premier League than Gerrard.