Fra Phil Hay-
https://theathletic.com/4171294/2023/02/09/leeds-new-manager-andoni-iraola/Leeds United’s attempt to appoint Andoni Iraola as their next head coach is at a standstill despite a bid to secure a deal over the past 24 hours.
Iraola, 40, was identified by Leeds as a leading candidate to replace Jesse Marsch at Elland Road, but negotiations to secure his exit from Rayo Vallecano have failed to make progress.
Director of football Victor Orta was in Spain yesterday to try and advance talks but flew back to England without an agreement in place.
Orta was present at Old Trafford for Leeds’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday night.
The Premier League club were optimistic that Iraola would be keen on the post — made vacant by Marsch’s sacking on Monday — but Rayo Vallecano, who appointed the former Athletic Bilbao defender in 2020 and are fifth in La Liga, are fighting to retain him with European qualification a serious possibility.
Leeds hoped to have a replacement for Marsch lined up before the end of the weekend and are still attempting to secure a new boss in that timeframe.
Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, a name linked over the past few days, has been the subject of discussions among the hierarchy at Elland Road, although the expectation at the start of the week was that he would not exit the Eredivisie leaders mid season.
Work on the appointment is set to continue on Thursday. Leeds, meanwhile, remain in the caretaker hands of Michael Skubala, Chris Armas and Paco Gallardo who guided the squad to a draw at Old Trafford yesterday.
