Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Thursday, February 16.
Gerardo Martino makes 'project' admission amid reported Leeds United interest
Leeds United's search for a new permanent manager following the sacking of Jesse Marsch continues to rumble on. Michael Skubala will take charge of the Whites' "upcoming fixtures", starting with Everton away at Goodison Park this Saturday.
Southampton's visit to Elland Road the following weekend looked briefly as if Marsch would be back on the touchline at his former club, but talks with the Saints over the American's move to the south coast eventually came to nothing.
READ MORE: Michael Skubala facing new Leeds United tweak decision ahead of must-win Everton clash
Although Skubala is set to oversee things in the short-term, a long-term appointment will no doubt be the priority for the club as the season slowly approaches the business end. One name that has been mentioned among the candidates linked with the vacancy is that of former Barcelona and Mexico national team coach Gerardo Martino.
Currently without a job after stepping down from his role with the North American side following their failure to get out of the group stages at the World Cup, Martino is reportedly on Leeds' radar. And now the 60-year-old has spoken out over his next managerial steps - admitting that although he is not sure what lies in store for him, there is a certain level of criteria that he is looking for in any move.
“I have no idea,” Martino told Somos Versus about his next coaching role (via HITC ). “I always had an idea throughout my career and today I am without it. I look more for projects, for circumstances, for family, I would not just go anywhere."
Michael Skubala’s tactical message getting louder
Michael Skubala will have to get used to the pressure and scrutiny that comes with his current position at the Leeds United helm. The coach will remain in charge at Elland Road for the upcoming fixtures, the club have confirmed, as their hunt to find a permanent successor to Jesse Marsch goes on.
As such, Skubala, who can ordinarily be found handling Under-21s matters, will get the chance to build on the progress he has already made with the senior squad since taking the reins. The caretaker boss had just one session on the Thorp Arch training field before taking the Whites to Old Trafford to face Manchester United last week, but he managed to get a tune of his side.
The Whites didn’t stray too far from the tactics Jesse Marsch had employed before his dismissal, but the alterations Skubala made produced a notable difference. United played with confidence, freedom and slightly more width in Manchester as they held their nerve and claimed a 2-2 draw against the odds.
Dressing room leaders have shown Michael Skubala what he needs to survive
Last week’s impressive showings against Manchester United were built on the back of Luke Ayling. If Michael Skubala is to successfully pull the same level from the team, and crucial points, week by week then he needs the team’s senior pros to stand tall.
Ayling led from the front in putting together possibly his best week in Leeds United colours. In each of the matches, wearing the captain’s armband in Liam Cooper’s absence, the 31-year-old led from the front and dragged the rest of the team with him.
Whether it was Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford or Marcus Rashford at Elland Road, Ayling adapted to any and all challenges. He was vocal, he lead from the front, he won his tackles, timed them perfectly, showed attacking ambition to overlap and got stuck into the grittiness matches like these need.
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