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Carlos Corberan, Marcelo Bielsa’s former number 2 at Leeds, is open to a return from Elland Road to replace the sacked Jesse Marsch, with Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola, another contender admired by sporting director Victor Orta.
- Carlos Corberan is open to returning to Leeds to become their new manager
- The West Brom boss was previously Marcelo Bielsa’s assistant
- Andoni Iraola, Rayo Vallecano coach, is another possible candidate for the position
Carlos Corberan would seriously consider a return to Leeds following the sacking of Jesse Marsch.
The Spaniard, who was Marcelo Bielsa’s assistant and Under-23 coach during his three years at Elland Road starting in 2017, is one of the leading contenders for the job having impressed since taking charge of West Bromwich Albion in October. .
Marsch was summoned to a crisis meeting at the Thorp Arch training center yesterday morning, along with chief executive Angus Kinnear and sporting director Victor Orta, where he was informed of the decision to sack him.
The American, visibly shaken by the news, was consoled by Kinnear and Orta. But the club’s ownership, led by majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani, has long had reservations about his suitability.
Corberan, who was considered for the Everton job following the sacking of Frank Lampard, is tempted to return to Leeds. However, there is a feeling that the club, mainly Orta and vice president Paraag Marathe, will explore other options as well.
West Brom manager Carlos Corberan would seriously consider becoming Leeds manager
West Brom’s Carlos Corberan (left) has emerged as a contender to replace Jesse Marsch at Leeds
Corberan was a former assistant coach at Leeds under former boss Marcelo Bielsa
Rayo Vallecano’s coach, Andoni Iraola, is another of the prominent names on the list of candidates to succeed Marsch and is especially admired by Orta.
The 40-year-old former Spanish right-back speaks English after a stint in New York City as a player and has led Vallecano to seventh in La Liga following promotion, bringing out the best in some of their young players.
He has also led the club to the quarterfinals of the Spanish Cup.
Iraola played under former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao and turned down the chance to join Liverpool as a player. A big fan of the Premier League, he can count Xabi Alonso and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe among his coaching friends.
Sources indicated yesterday that Marsch, 49, would have been dismissed before it had not been for the unequivocal support of Orta, who led his appointment after the dismissal of Bielsa last February.
Indeed, the appointment of American Chris Armas to Marsch’s coaching staff last month was seen as a show of support for the boss under fire.
But Sunday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest was the last straw for Leeds’ owners, who are growing increasingly concerned by the team’s alarming decline.
Sportsmail has learned that there was internal tension over the club’s recruitment strategy during the January transfer window.
The club record £35m arrival of Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim, a deal led by Orta, is said to have not met with unanimous backing.
Leeds are above the relegation zone on goal difference after a run of seven Premier League games without a win.
Marsch had been supported behind the scenes by Leeds sporting director Victor Orta (left)
Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola is another possible candidate for the Leeds vacancy
Iraola (right) also had previous dealings with Bielsa during his playing days at Athletic Club Bilbao
Michael Skubala, the Under 21 coach, will be in charge of tomorrow’s match at Manchester United, along with Armas and Paco Gallardo.
Supporters had turned on Marsch in recent weeks, strengthening the belief among certain figures in Leeds that he should lose his job.
Additional Information: Tom Collomosse