Leeds United have identified Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraola as a potential candidate to replace Jesse Marsch as the new manager at Elland Road, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Having failed to win any of Leeds’ seven previous Premier League games, the club relieved Marsch of his duties in the dugout.
After reportedly having an interest in seeing Marcelo Bielsa’s former assistant coach, Carlos Corberan, take the reins, the current West Bromwich Albion coach shut down any likelihood of him returning to Elland Road by signing a new deal with the Baggies.
With Leeds still searching for a new manager, some behind-the-scenes details have emerged on the matter.
In a recent Twitter post, Romano said this about the situation.
He said: “Leeds United are considering Andoni Iraola as favourite candidate to replace Jesse Marsch. He’s not the only option as it’s 3 men shortlist — but talks are ongoing.
“Rayo Vallecano coach, in Leeds’ list as Corberan will stay at West Brom.”
After completing spells in charge of AEK Larnaca and CD Mirandes, the 40-year-old was appointed at Vallecano back in August 2020.
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During his time there, Iraola has taken charge of 118 games across all competitions, winning 52 of them whilst drawing 25 and losing 41 along the way.
In terms of what Vallecano have done this season, Iraola’s side currently find themselves in fifth place in La Liga having won nine of their 20 games, scoring 27 goals and conceding 22 in the process.
In addition to that, the Spanish club have earned themselves an overall performance rating of 6.56/10 from WhoScored, making them the eighth-highest-rated side in the division.
Having achieved promotion to the top flight in his first season in charge, their rapid rise could suggest that Iraola has got his team overperforming given their resources.
This makes it easy to see why Leeds have the Spaniard as a potential candidate to replace Marsch and get the Whites out of the sticky situation they currently find themselves in.
Moving forward, if the Leeds hierarchy feel that Iraola is a suitable manager for the club, they should do all they can to get him to Elland Road as soon as they can to get the team back on track.