Good Morning. It's Tuesday 7th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Could Corberan be the right man for the job?
West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan has emerged as the front runner (3/1) to take the Elland Road hot seat following the dismissal of Jesse Marsch. The 39 year old has made quite a name for himself since leaving Thorp Arch in the Summer of 2020 to pursue his managerial career. He was bought to Leeds by Victor Orta (nothing to do with Marcelo Bielsa). It was Orta's vision that the former Valencia shot stopper would eventually replace Bielsa as head coach, but it is believed that the 49ers had other ideas's.
Since arriving at the end of October last year, Corberan has transformed the baggies. They were bottom of Championship when he took over, with 14 points from 18 games. In his 11 games in charge, the West Midlands outfit have picked up a further 30 points, leaving them 6th in the table.
Whilst undoubtedly talented, is it too soon in his fledgling managerial career to take charge of a Premier League relegation dog fight? Second favourite is Ange Postecoglou (14/1). The Aussie has revived the fortunes at Celtic since taking charge 18 months ago, but has no experience in English football. Former Spurs and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is third favourite (also 14/1), but would he come to Elland Road?
Armas takes temporary charge for Old Trafford test
Chris Armas alongside Michael Skubala and Paco Gallardo have been put in caretaker charge at Elland Road, and will lead Leeds out tomorrow night at Old Trafford. Rene Maric, and all other of Marsch's backroom staff have already departed.
Armas, who only joined the coaching staff a fortnight ago, has a managerial record dating back to 2008. He is best known for his five month stint at Manchester Utd, working as No 2 under Ralf Rangnick. Michael Skubala remains as U21 Manager, but has stepped up to assist Armas in Rene Maric's absence. Prior to arriving at Elland Road last Summer, he had spent almost 13 years working for the FA, Managing the England U18's, and the National futsal teams (similar to indoor 5-a-side). Michal Pujdak, who was bought in by Bielsa nearly 3 years ago, temporarily steps up to U21 duties at Thorp Arch.
Paco Gallardo only arrived in December, but is a well thought coach. After hanging up his boots in 2014, he went for his coaching badges straight away, and joined the Savilla youth set up. During his six year stay, he ended up managing both their Senior C, and B teams.
Expect Leeds to move pretty quickly
Football journalist Tim Thornton expects the Elland Road hierarchy to move quickly and appoint their new head coach, possibly before the weeks out. The Sky Sports news front man believes Messrs Radrizzani and Orta will already have a shortlist of candidates, and would have already sounded them out, prior to Jesse Marsch's dismissal.
What I will say is that Leeds will have a contingency plan. They had a contingency plan when Marcelo Bielsa left the club a year ago, Jesse Marsch was appointed very quickly, they will have a contingency plan again,” “So they will have their candidate in mind and I expect them to move pretty quickly on this.
The one name that’s being linked at the moment is a familiar name to Leeds United fans, it’s Carlos Corberan, who was part of the set up at Leeds when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge. He coached the under-21s before being promoted to work alongside Bielsa.
He then went to Huddersfield and had a lot of success there before going to Olympiacos and then onto West Brom where he’s hit the ground running and done really good things there. “Of course, he’s in a job at the moment so it remains to be seen whether Leeds will make an approach for him but he’s the one name that’s really emerged as an early frontrunner for this job.
