Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola on Leeds United radar as club seek Jesse Marsch successor - The Athletic 6/2/23
By Phil Hay
Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola is one of the names
on Leeds United’s radar as the Premier League club weigh up their next move
after sacking Jesse Marsch.
Leeds are working to find a long-term replacement for
Marsch, having ended the American’s 11-month reign at Elland Road earlier
today.
Marsch paid for a poor run of form which left Leeds 17th in
the table after a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Leeds have also dismissed coaches Rene Maric, Cameron
Toshack and Pierre Barrieu, although assistant Chris Armas — brought in on
Marsch’s request less than two weeks ago — remains with the club for the time
being.
Armas and Under-21 coaches Michael Skubala and Paco
Gallardo are presently in charge of first-team training and will act as
caretakers for Wednesday night’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford,
but Leeds want to secure a swift successor to Marsch, who took over Leeds last
February.
Iraola, 40, is a former Athletic Bilbao defender who has
made a name for himself as a coach during two-and-a half years with Rayo
Vallecano.
His team has been built around a high pressing model and
Vallecano currently sit eighth in La Liga.
Iraola, who played for Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao,
has other admirers in the game but Leeds are weighing up an approach.
The Elland Road club meet Manchester United twice in five
days this week before heading into two crucial relegation battles with Everton
and Southampton.
