One week ago, Leeds United were preparing to announce the extension of Michael Skubala’s caretaker reign across the club’s “upcoming fixtures.” This was shorthand for Everton and Southampton before reassessing the team’s performances and how the land lay with Victor Orta’s ongoing head coach search.
With the original quest for Jesse Marsch’s successor stymied by uncooperative clubs employing successful head coaches, the backlash against Alfred Schreuder’s sighting at Elland Road opened up the Skubala route. The under-21 chief had done well in the Manchester United matches and curried favour with first-team players who were suggesting Skubala get the gig on a longer-term basis.
The search would press on, the wait for top targets to become available would stretch out, but in the meantime, Skubala would mind the shop and keep United noses clean. Worst fears were realised on Saturday, however.
