Confirmation of Leeds United’s next head coach is yet to land, but a meaningful steer on who it won’t be has emerged in France. Patrick Vieira, who interviewed for the position in London last week, is now reportedly the favourite to take charge at Strasbourg in Ligue 1.
Scott Parker is also understood to have met with chairman-elect Paraag Marathe and chief executive Angus Kinnear to discuss the vacancy, but it is Daniel Farke claiming all the headlines. As the wait for EFL ratification of 49ers Enterprises’ takeover goes on, anxiety around installing Sam Allardyce’s replacement for the start of pre-season has grown.
It would seem though, based on reports in France, Vieira will not be the man in the dugout. On Wednesday night, L’Equipe suggested Vieira was at the front of a three-man shortlist for the Stade de la Meinau job.
If Vieira has given the Alsace outfit positive noises about taking the role, it can only suggest talks with Leeds have not progressed. Removing the 47-year-old from the picture would then leave Parker and Farke as the only credible names currently linked with the Whites job.
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At no point have reports suggested Parker has been close to getting the position either, in stark contrast to the noises around the former Norwich City boss, which have only grown louder as time has gone on. Marathe was in the UK last week to lead the final round of talks with the candidates alongside Kinnear and other decision-makers.
Their patient, diligent, data-driven process has yielded a name the board feels confident about, but an announcement is unlikely to come until Andrea Radrizzani’s exit has been ratified. Pre-season starts in three days with the first friendly currently slated for 10 days after that.
