INFLUENTIAL LEEDS UNITED INDIVIDUAL WHO STOPPED WHITES MAKING APPROACH FOR WEST BROM’S CARLOS CORBERAN REVEALED - Football League World 8/2/23

By Ben Wignall

Leeds United did not make an approach for West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan to become their next manager as director of football Victor Orta was not convinced that the Spaniard could make the step up to the Premier League in the middle of a relegation battle.

That is according to a report from the Daily Mail’s Tom Collomosse, who claimed that Orta was a particular detractor amongst admirers when it came to deliberating if Corberan was the right fit to replace Jesse Marsch at Elland Road.

According to The Mail, there were discussions amongst the Whites’ hierarchy regarding an 18-month deal for Corberan, who is admired by current owner Andrea Radrizzani for his three-year spell as the club’s under-23’s head coach, as well as a concurrent two-year stint as a first-team coach under Marcelo Bielsa.

However, there were reservations from Orta, who apparently preferred Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola, who has his side sitting in fifth position in La Liga despite only winning promotion from the second tier of Spanish football two years ago.

Due to the split opinion amongst the Leeds hierarchy, the club never made an official move for Corberan, which left West Brom in the clear to agree a new contract – which he has signed until 2027 – with the 39-year-old following a run of 30 points accumulated in his first 13 league matches in charge.

It could end up being a blessing in disguise for Leeds that they never went for Corberan.

His lack of top flight experience could have proven to be his downfall, even though he knows the players that remain at the club from 2020 and before following his time as Bielsa’s right-hand man.

But there is every chance that he could have been the right man, and several of Leeds’ hierarchy hold Corberan in high regard, which is why Albion had to move quickly and decisively to tie him down to a longer-term contract.

The fact Corberan is now contracted to West Brom until 2027 doesn’t necessarily mean he will stay that long, but it gives Albion more security over his future – and if a big club does come calling and Corberan is keen, then they will be compensated heavily for it.