Google searches featuring Alfred Schreuder are likely through the roof right now after his recent sighting at Elland Road. LeedsLive understands the out-of-work manager was in attendance as Leeds United lost 2-0 at home this afternoon.
Defeat to Manchester United has only intensified calls for an appointment to be made immediately. Michael Skubala is currently fronting a three-man interim operation but Whites supporters want a permanent fixture to arrive and drag the club clear of the relegation zone.
No midweek fixture means Leeds chiefs have five days to find their man before a monumental six-pointer against Everton next weekend. Will Schreuder, fresh from his outing at Elland Road, be the one standing in the away dugout at Goodison Park?
LeedsLive has profiled the manager to give readers a better understanding of what he would bring to the table.
Background
Schreuder’s career in football has spanned over 30 years, first emerging through the youth ranks at Dutch giants Feyenoord. A run-of-the-mill Eredivisie player, the former midfielder was never capped by the Netherlands.
The pinnacle of his playing career was at NAC Breda in 1999-2000, winning the second division title to reach the top flight. However, Schreuder has brushed shoulders with more illustrious names since moving into management.
He served as Steve McClaren’s assistant while the former England manager aimed to rebuild his career at FC Twente, clinching the Eredivisie title in 2010. Most of his career has been spent as a number two, working alongside Ronald Koeman for Barcelona and Erik ten Hag at Ajax.
Schreuder replaced the latter once he left for Manchester United - owing to his brief time at Club Brugge - last summer but was sacked after just 26 games. A pessimist may suggest his affiliation with Ten Hag could be why he was watching Leeds today.
However, the 50-year-old was accompanied by Leeds' head of European recruitment, Gaby Ruiz.
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Achievements
As mentioned, the Dutchman has plenty of experience in his native country, serving as assistant manager during title-winning seasons in 2009-10 and 2018-19. Schreuder has enjoyed limited success as the main man but did win the Belgian league with Club Brugge.
Taking over last January, Schreuder won the title after dominating the play-offs. That success earned him the Ajax job which, ultimately, did not work out.
The reigning champions sacked him last month, with the club sitting in fifth place. Since his dismissal, Ajax have won four games in a row - scoring 13 goals - to propel themselves back into the title picture.
So far, he has proven an effective number two but is yet to appear fully convincing when given the main gig. Appointing would almost certainly be an Andrea Radrizzani gamble to keep Leeds in the Premier League.
Style of play
As is often the case with Dutch coaches, Schreuder likes to play a three-man defence with wing-backs. However, in Belgium, he did sometimes set up in a 4-3-3 system.
That would be a radical change to the 4-2-3-1 adopted by Leeds in recent years. Perhaps a change is exactly what the Whites need to inject fresh impetus into the side?
Schreuder is billed as a manager who stresses the importance of winning the midfield battle. Short passing, especially from the back, is also preferred, similar to how Ten Hag sets up Man United.
From his appointment at Brugge last January to the end of the campaign, no club won more points, scored more goals, attempted more shots and had more possession than any other team in the division. While recent failings at Ajax have blemished that feat, Leeds could be looking at the bigger picture and at what Schreuder has achieved - rather than his shortcomings.
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