Rayo Vallecano sporting director David Cobeno has admitted the club "knew" Andoni Iraola was not going to leave despite Leeds United's "interest" in their manager.
Iraola had been one of the early favourites to replace Jesse Marsch following the American's departure last week, but Vallecano's attempts to seemingly block their head coach from leaving midway through the season have poured cold water over recent speculation. Former Ajax head coach Alfred Schreuder is now the odds-on favourite to take over at Elland Road, with the 50-year-old Dutchman even being seen in attendance after Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.
A looming crunch match with Everton on Saturday - combined with Nathan Jones' dismissal as Southampton boss - has added extra urgency to Leeds' timeline in their hunt for a new manager. However, it now appears that Iraola will not be coming to the Premier League anytime soon.
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Vallecano's sporting director, when asked about Leeds' interest Iraola, made it clear that he was never going to leave and that the La Liga side are even eyeing up a new deal for their manager to pin him down for the long-term.
Cobeno said (as per Spanish outlet AS, via Sport Witness ): "Don’t worry, because we trust Andoni a lot. There is a close relationship. Communication is daily and fluid. Although there was interest, we knew that Iraola was going to continue with us.
“Yes, it is the main objective [a new deal for Iraola]. We are super happy with him. We will have it difficult because many teams will come into play in the summer. Playing in Europe would be a claim… for those who are here and those who could come.”
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