Under-21 chief Michael Skubala will continue as Leeds United’s caretaker first-team boss for the coming matches while the hunt for Jesse Marsch’s permanent successor goes on. The American was sacked eight days ago, but Victor Orta’s primary targets have proven difficult to acquire.
Skubala has overseen two promising performances alongside fellow caretakers Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo. Last week’s displays against Manchester United and positive feedback from the playing squad have emboldened Elland Road’s top brass.
Rather than appoint the wrong person on the wrong terms, United are hopeful Skubala can steer their ship through choppy waters and into positive results which pull the club up the Premier League table. In the meantime, Orta and Angus Kinnear will keep tabs on their targets in the hope circumstances change.
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Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot are understood to have held positive talks with Orta, but their clubs, Rayo Vallecano and Feyenoord respectively, have stymied each of those pathways. Meanwhile, Marcelo Gallardo has reiterated his desire to see through his current break from management until the summer at the earliest.
The Whites have not stipulated whether Skubala will be their first-team boss until the end of the season. If a preferred coaching target becomes available or form drops under the caretaker, Leeds will act accordingly.
More experienced interim options could yet come back into the reckoning, but, for now, Skubala has the full weight of the boardroom and playing squad behind him to continue what he started last week.
In a short statement Leeds said; "Leeds United can confirm Michael Skubala will continue to lead the men’s first team for the club’s upcoming fixtures.
"Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas will carry on supporting Michael, alongside the backroom team already in place. Skubala, Gallardo and Armas have overseen two positive performances over the last week against Manchester United and will lead training ahead of this weekend’s Premier League game against Everton at Goodison Park."
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