Leeds United have a job on their hands to find the right replacement for Jesse Marsch, having parted ways with the American on Monday.
After only appointing Jesse Marsch in February 2022, Leeds find themselves again looking for a new manager 12 months later, having confirmed the manager’s exit on Monday:
The exit of Marsch leaves Leeds with the job of replacing him in the correct manner, in order to pick up the side’s form and move away from the relegation zone.
A number of candidates already look to have presented themselves over the last 24 hours, as Leeds gear up for a trip to Manchester United.
Here, we look at three names that the club simply have to be considering this week…
Andoni Iraola
First name on the list is one that has been revealed to be on the shortlist, courtesy of The Athletic.
Iraola is impressing a great deal since taking to management, having enjoyed a great career mostly with Athletic Club, where he captained the side under Marcelo Bielsa.
His first and only senior management position in a top-flight league comes with Rayo Vallecano, where he has been since the summer of 2020.
After first achieving promotion with the Spanish outfit, Iraola has continued his fine work by guiding Vallecano to the last four of the Spanish Cup last season, having done so with CD Mirandes too.
This term, Iraola is guiding Vallecano towards the European places, with last night’s win against Almeria lifting them to fifth and three points off the Champions League places.
Iraola has shifted between the idea of man-to-man marking and zonal in different phases of play, with his flexible system something that could definitely work at Leeds after two managers with very rigid approaches.
Playing with width is another core principle that Leeds need to rediscover, and Iraola is a firm believer of that too.
Carlos Corberan
A name more familiar with Leeds fans is that of Carlos Corberan, who left Leeds in 2020 to pursue his own managerial career after being an assistant under Marcelo Bielsa.
His time at Huddersfield Town was a rousing success as he first guided them to safety from relegation on a minuscule budget before taking them to within one game of promotion to the Premier League as they lost to Nottingham Forest in the play-off final.
Since then, he had a short and unsuccessful stint with Olympiacos before joining West Brom as he looks to guide them into the promotion picture.
His immense form with the Baggies will have no doubt caught the eye at Leeds, with Sky Sports revealing he is one of the names on the shortlist.
Quiz: Can you remember Leeds United’s last 15 results v Man United ahead of midweek clash?
Ange Postecoglou
The third name we think needs to be on the shortlist, and was confirmed by Sky Sports, is Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou.
Having taken over at Celtic in the summer of 2021, Postecoglou has instantly delivered in front of a hugely demanding fanbase, winning the double in his first season while being on course for the league title this term too.
Domestic success in Scotland doesn’t always connote a worthy appointment in the Premier League, as Aston Villa found out with Steven Gerrard, but the Australian has brought a very attractive style of possession-based football with Celtic, that has seen them impress despite being winless in their Champions League group.
He’s another that looks far more defensively sound than what we have seen from Leeds in the Premier League too, which is a major bonus.
Who should replace Marsch long-term?
Arne Slot
Andoni Iraola
Marcelo Gallardo
Other?
