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La Liga coach emerges on Leeds United radar in search for Marsch successor

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Image for La Liga coach emerges on Leeds United radar in search for Marsch successor

Leeds United are interested in Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola as a potential replacement for Jesse Marsch.

That’s according to a report from The Athletic, who have identified the 40-year-old as someone who could be a contender to take over in the Elland Road dugout.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest that leaves Leeds 17th in the Premier League table, only outside the relegation zone on goal difference, proved to be the final draw for Marsch.

The American was sacked just a day later, and there has already been plenty of speculation around who could replace him at Elland Road.

According to this latest update, one option being considered for the role is Iraola, who is currently in charge of La Liga side Vallecano.

A right-back in his playing days, Iraola previously played under a certain Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao, while he was also teammate of current Leeds winger Jack Harrison, at New York City.

Iraola became Vallecano manager August 2020, guiding them to promotion to La Liga in his first season in charge, and they are now currently fifth in the Spanish top-flight.

This does look as though it has the potential to be a decent appointment for Leeds if it happens.

The fat that Iraola has top-flight experience under his belt as a manager, and has seemingly exceeded expectations with Vallecano, suggests he has the nous and know-how to turn a tricky situation around.

As a result, you wonder whether could turn out to be just what Leeds need, in their battle to avoid the drop back into the Championship.

Indeed, the fact he has previously worked under a figure as revered as Bielsa will likely also bring supporters round to this potential appointment, so it does seem to be worth considering at least.

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UCLan Sports Journalism graduate. Have been working for Leeds All Over since summer 2020, and can only be found writing on Football League World.