With Leeds United's search for the next full-time manager not any nearer to a resolution, Michael Skubala has been handed the reigns in the short-term. The club are hoping to make a long-term appointment, but the in the meantime, there are vital Premier League points to be won - starting this weekend against Everton.
Our chief Leeds United writer Beren Cross held his regular fan Q&A this week to talk over the latest developments at Elland Road - here's the full transcript.
READ MORE: Leeds United's Schreuder misstep paved the way to Skubala risk that has to work
Loyalty4ever: With the way the team has played recently it had hints of Bielsa's width and pressure. With five subs now available, which wasn't there last season, and the squad bigger and better, are there any thoughts of what Bielsa could achieve now and bring him back? He obviously knows the league but more importantly, the fabric of Leeds United
BEREN CROSS: Most people associated with United, in some way, miss the Bielsa days, but I can't ever see it happening. It was a moment of its time and its passed now. He had his time, did his bit and I don't think he would want to taint that legacy in any way, especially during the season.
BradWhite: Skubala is a risk, but what is even a greater risk is bringing in a new coach that tries to install a new system so late into the season. We need to improve and tweak what we have, more aggression, better defending and putting away the many chances we create.
BC: That's a neat way of summing up how the club seems to see things. Last week was very promising, on and off the field, with Skubala. His tactical imprint was based around evolution rather than revolution, which is what someone like Schreuder may have done to the tactics board. And, as you say, there is not enough time for a restart like that to bear fruit before the campaign ends. If Leeds can carry on what they did last week, against lesser opposition, they will surely pick up enough points to be safe, but it's a big if. Can Skubala keep generating that level from the team while finding the tactical approach he needs to change matches?
dolphan1329: Do you get the feeling that there's an actual plan for a permanent in place? Or is it more of a wait and see approach with Skubala and depending on results he could be named permanent until the end of the season?
BC: Yes. The plan remains to find a permanent head coach as soon as possible, whether that's this month, next month, before the end of the season or in the summer. That depends on when the targets they like become available. For example, if it became clear Feyenoord may be open to letting Slot go in three or four weeks, Leeds would absolutely get that deal done.
As it is, the targets they like all look difficult to do in the near future. They do not want to hire the wrong name on the wrong terms and waste money on a poor hire. Skubala's success definitely plays its part, however. If he continues to extract performances like last week's from the team, and that generates wins in the coming matches, Leeds are quite open to riding with that wave until their aforementioned preferences become available. If Skubala starts to struggle, Leeds are aware they will have to change tack and find someone with more experienced, most likely, on an interim basis.
oldyleeds: I think most of us agree the team needs tweaking more than overhaul. This is where an Allardyce could be benefit till end of season (if he'll accept this way)... any of the strange names being mentioned could end up as another Marsch. The board could well remember it took Bielsa two seasons to get the formula right.
BC: Could you see Allardyce changing the approach he has used in previous relegation scraps? I would be amazed if he went away from a deep-lying block which invites pressure if he took over at Elland Road.
I take your point that untested coaches in the PL could always fall flat on their face as we have seen with so many newcomers down the years, but I suppose we will not know until we see them there. Their records do at least look promising in competitive leagues.
sean1965: Why is it both Marsch and now the magic three are resistant to play both Bamford and Rutter up front at the same time instead of one or the other. With both up front they could pull the defence in different directions and out of position possibly opening up some space for better opportunities in front of the goal?
BC: I suppose it's down to the system they want to play. More and more systems play with one forward/focal point and several attackers coming in from different positions around them. It's certainly an avenue they could look to go down, though. With so many attackers and such versatility, there are so many systems they could use. For what it's worth, Rutter didn't seem well suited to the lone role on Sunday.
lordraven: Why are no English Premier League experienced managers being considered for the job? It’s pretty ridiculous shopping around the world when what we need is experience of the league we are in.
BC: I am led to believe managers with experience of the league have been under consideration, they just evidently either aren't available, don't play with the right tactics, are asking for too much money or the wrong kind of contract, or simply don't want to come.
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