Leeds United reportedly failed in an attempt to bring in former Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira earlier this season.
The Whites are going to be looking for their fourth manager of 2023 in the coming weeks as Sam Allardyce prepares for his final game this Sunday.
Jesse Marsch was relieved of his duties in early February after a second wretched run of form, to be replaced by Javi Gracia, whose fine start was met by a totally catastrophic run in April that has left Allardyce picking up the pieces of a side mentally already preparing for the Championship.
Who could Leeds appoint in the summer?
Who Leeds look to bring in during the summer months largely hinges on which division the club will be playing in, as the EFL looks the most likely destination as things stand.
The Athletic have reported of Leeds’ interest in both Graham Potter if they stay up, and Brendan Rodgers if the club face relegation on Sunday.
However, it is expected that the scouts who have remained at the club in Victor Orta’s absence will be drawing up candidates for the position in the meantime.
Patrick Vieira to Leeds?
It has now been reported by L’Equipe (via Foot Mercato) that Leeds have previously made a formal approach to recently-sacked Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira, who left Selhurst Park in mid-March, a few weeks after Gracia joined Leeds.
The Frenchman turned down Leeds and others on the basis of where they were in the table at the time offers came in:
“Since his dismissal on March 17, Patrick Vieira has received three proposals from Premier League clubs that were in difficulty (Leeds, Everton, Leicester).
“According to L’Equipe, he turned down these offers as he did not want to join a struggling club and wanted to give himself time.”
Leeds v Spurs predictions?
Leeds win
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Spurs win
Vieira wouldn’t have been able to do much with this side after what Gracia had done, seemingly tearing apart any confidence the side had during April.
Somehow, we’re on less points now than we were heading into half-time with a 1-0 lead against Palace in April, a win that would have seen us on 33 points.
Vieira was harshly dismissed at Palace, and I expect him to get another PL chance soon, but we look to have missed out on that.