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“Why not?” – Sky Sports pundit weighs in with view on Leeds United’s search for Jesse Marsch’s successor

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Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness believes Leeds United should look domestically for a manager to replace Jesse Marsch.

Names such as Andoni Iraola have done the rounds, with The Athletic revealing that Rayo Vallecano’s manager was the club’s top target at first, before talks seemed to hit a brick wall, seeing Leeds turn their attention to Feyenoord’s Arne Slot.

The Whites have yet to appoint anyone since sacking Marsch last week after a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. He left Leeds sat in 17th place and only a few points off the bottom of the Premier League.

In the meantime, Michael Skubala will remain in caretaker charge for the games against Everton and Southampton.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Michael Skubala, Interim Manager of Leeds United, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford on February 08, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Quiz: How much do you know about Leeds United’s go-to caretaker Michael Skubala? Find out here…

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What do the pundits think about Leeds’ search for a manager?

Souness wrote in his column in the Daily Mail of his surprise at the names linked with the Leeds job so far, he said: “Whatever end of the table a team is at, their appointment of managers and coaches never fails to surprise me, and sometimes amaze me.”

The Scotsman believes Leeds would be better off looking at domestic based managers who have managed at Premier League level before, he added: “You are looking at Leeds and others down there, considering candidates who’ve not been involved in our game and who will need time to understand its demands.

“And by the time they get it – if, indeed, they do get it – it could already be too late. So why not a Harry Redknapp or a Sam Allardyce, even as a short-term fix?”

Souness believes that would be the safest option for the Whites, he said: “You need someone who knows the territory, so there are no surprises. I come back to it: there are no new ways of playing our game.”

The idea of Premier League experience, both for players and managers alike, is overrated as a concept.

Plenty of managers who have never managed in England or the Premier League have had a good impact on our game. It doesn’t have to be someone with experience in a relegation battle, even though there is some logic to that from Souness.

Premier League proven is a quality that is a bonus, but doesn’t have to be the driving factor in either managerial or player recruitment.

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