Arne Slot’s decision to remain at Feyenoord dictated that Leeds met another closed door as they continued their hunt for a new manager. That rejection left the club weighing up a second approach for their initial favourite, the Rayo Vallecano manager, Andoni Iraola.
Earlier in the week Victor Orta, Leeds’s director of football, flew to Madrid in the hope of returning with Iraola but he and Rayo proved resistant. Although Leeds are speaking to alternative candidates, they have reason to hope the much-admired 40-year-old coach could still be within their reach to replace Jesse Marsch.
At the end of a week in which another shortlisted candidate, West Brom’s Carlos Corberán, signed a contract extension, they are expected to make a renewed attempt to hire Iraola. It is believed that his contract contains a release clause of £7m-£10m, a sum Leeds are prepared to pay.
Slot opted against joining a mid-season relegation battle to continue a pursuit of treble honours at Feyenoord, who he has guided to the top of the Eredivisie. On Friday the 44-year-old said. “I will stay with Feyenoord. That is clear, fans do not have to be afraid.
“It was a great compliment that a club like Leeds was interested but we are doing something great with Feyenoord. We’re in a great position in the league, in the cup and in Europe. There is no disappointment. It is certainly not a punishment for me to stay here.”
Leeds had hoped that Marsch’s successor would be in place in time for Sunday’s Premier League game at home to Manchester United but Michael Skubala will again take charge as caretaker.
On Wednesday Skubala led Leeds to a draw at Old Trafford but, much as the club’s board admire their Under-21 coach, a former England futsal manager, they hope to have replaced him by the time the team travel to Everton for a relegation six-pointer next Saturday.
