Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Monday, July 3.
Patrick Vieira appointed as Strasbourg coach
Former Leeds United managerial target Patrick Vieira has been appointed by Ligue 1 side Strasbourg as their new manager. The former Arsenal midfielder, who was sacked by Crystal Palace in March, was one of the favourites with the bookies for a spell last month during Leeds' protracted search for a new head coach.
The Whites are awaiting EFL ratification on their takeover from 49ers Enterprises before making an appointment, but the clock is ticking, with player returning for pre-season training today.
But with Vieira out of the running, the belief is that Daniel Farke is waiting in the wings to be appointed. For Vieira though, it is a return to France, as he becomes Strasbourg's first appointment since the club was bought by Chelsea's owner BlueCo/
READ MORE: Leeds United news LIVE: Bizarre next manager claim despite Farke expectation
“I am particularly happy to join Racing,” Vieira told the club website. “I know the history and the identity of this club, the fervour it arouses, the importance it has for its region, which is a place of football and passion. Today, a new cycle begins for Racing and it is exciting as a coach to be able to build something while relying on the values that have defined the strength of the club.”
Leeds United start pre-season on boss rethink, Radrizzani query, friendlies plan
Day one of 306 starts here. Ten months and one day from now, Leeds United will be rounding off what they hope is a one-and-done whistle-stop return to the Premier League.
Thirty-six days on from the sickening reality of relegation at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, United’s players and staff will reconvene this morning. Leeds Beckett University will play host once again to the series of day-one tests Rob Price, head of medicine and performance, and his team have set.
The players will arrive at the Carnegie School of Sport, register, take a look over their bespoke schedule and work breakfast around their various tests. It will be an opportunity for reunions and catch-ups as they come by one another throughout the day.
Luke Ayling, Junior Firpo, Robin Koch, Marc Roca, Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and Georginio Rutter are all expected to be among the first crop of players reporting back. Adam Forshaw and Joel Robles have been invited, but are technically free agents after their contracts expired last week.
228 Premier League and Championship free agents Leeds United can now sign
Leeds United are widely expected to dip into the free agent market this summer, and who not when there are so many good players available without having to pay a fee. The last day of June marks the end of footballers' contracts and as we ticked into July on Saturday, so a whole host of players became available to sign.
Our colleagues at Manchester Evening News have collated a list of the 228 Premier League and Championship players who as of July 1 became free agents with their previous contracts expiring. As is always the case when you're a relegated side with a totally different budget and targets, many of the players on the list will be way out of the reach of the Whites, but there are plenty who could be of interest.
Here's a list of all the players available, categorised by their position.
