Here are your Leeds United morning headlines on Friday, February 17.
USMNT icon slams 'inexperienced' Leeds United amid 'inept' Jesse Marsch decision
US pundit and former USMNT striker Taylor Twellman has claimed he feels 'sorry' for Leeds United fans after the Whites received another managerial rejection in their hunt for Jesse Marsch's replacement.
Twellman claims the club's executives showed their 'ineptitude' and 'inexperience' by sacking the American manager last week and not having a planned replacement.
So far, names like Carlos Corberan, Arne Slot, and even the latest new candidate for the role Philippe Clement has turned down the offers, leaving the Whites having to continue with interim Michael Skubala for the foreseeable future.
But with Leeds just a point off the relegation zone and facing three of the bottom six in their next five matches, failing to find a permanent fixture in the Elland Road dugout could be a huge blow to their chances of safety.
Twellman highlighted exactly that as he took to social media, claiming that all the Whites had now is luck to guide them through this tough time.
He wrote: "Not having a replacement in mind when firing a manager shows the inexperience and ineptitude of a club. Panic driven without a plan is simply now just relying on luck. Feel for @LUFC fans."
Leeds United one-to-one meetings proving central in nipping any player issues in the bud
Open doors are what Leeds United’s players will find when they want answers from Michael Skubala on decisions they may not be happy with. The caretaker boss has avoided anything too contentious in his first two matches at the helm, but he prides himself on an open approach with the players he coaches.
On Sunday, there was one moment which was impossible to ignore. As the fourth official’s board went up with Patrick Bamford’s number, Luke Ayling’s reaction was noted first.
The captain could not hide his frustration with the decision, throwing his arms back and even trying to shout over with words of consolation for the striker. Like any player being withdrawn, Bamford was disappointed, but he has since praised Skubala for his post-match actions.
Luke Ayling's contract extension shines light on three decisions Leeds United must make
Luke Ayling has become the latest Leeds United player to see his contract extended by the club. The right-back’s deal was due to expire at the end of the current Premier League season, but the Whites have triggered a clause that ties him down until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
It’s a move that makes sense given Ayling’s importance to the side and his recent form, particularly over the last couple games and he’ll be looking to make a big impact over the remainder of the season as Leeds battle against the drop. As such, just three United players hold Elland Road contracts that are due to expire at the end of the current season.
Adam Forshaw is perhaps the most high profile name the club must make a decision on before the summer and he is joined on that list by Joel Robles and Mateusz Bogusz. Despite the announcement of Ayling’s extension, the Whites’ hierarchy have more pressing things on their agenda at present, namely finding a new full-time head coach to take the reins.
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