Final talks with Leeds United’s next head coach will take place this week as Paraag Marathe and the club’s key decision-makers descend upon London. Pre-season starts at Thorp Arch in less than two weeks and the pressure is ramping up for an appointment to be made.
The final shortlist of candidates, which includes Daniel Farke, will meet with Elland Road’s top brass in person in the capital over the coming days. Chief executive Angus Kinnear and future board members will join Marathe, chairman-elect, for face-to-face talks with those vying to be the club’s next boss.
Of the names which have been credibly linked with the vacancy this summer, Farke has had the most success in the Championship. His two titles in the past five years with Norwich City will certainly appeal, but it is understood to remain an open race among those who will be interviewed.
Nick Hammond, who was appointed interim football advisor last week, will be consulted on the candidates, but it will ultimately fall on Marathe and Kinnear to make the decision. The board will need to move quickly with the process.
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The first tranche of Leeds players will report for pre-season on July 2 and if the club wants their chosen boss to have some preparation time before their first day they have to act swiftly. Allowing a decision to stretch into next week would put them within seven days of the summer programme starting up.
There is also the transfer element to this hire. Hammond, Kinnear and Marathe have already set about pulling the levers on this summer’s business, but they will all know it has to be guided by the wants and needs of a manager.
The longer it takes to get that contract signed the less time Hammond and the recruitment team have to move players in and out before pre-season, before friendlies, before the season starts and, critically, before the window closes.
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