Next Leeds manager: Double-title winner the clear favourite as top Spanish contender agrees another job

Leeds United are hopeful of having their next manager in place before the end of this week, with the clear favourite for the vacancy reportedly set to hold talks with the recently-relegated Premier League side.

The Whites’ three-year stay in the Premier League ended with a whimper just 16 days ago. Needing a win on the final day over Tottenham to have any chance of staying up, they fell behind after just 90 seconds and went on to lose 4-1.

Regardless, results elsewhere meant even a win could not have spared them from the drop. And the loss meant that renowned firefighter Sam Allardyce departed Elland Road having only managed one point from the 12 he had available. Still, it’s not bad work for £500,000.

Since their demise, Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani has called time on his reign, selling his stake to 49ers Enterprises.

And while they are yet to make too many public declarations on their intentions, planning behind the scenes is already well underway.

Indeed, an extremely busy summer lies ahead. And with the new EFL season due to start in just 53 days, there will be plenty of comings and goings at Elland Road.

To that end, several big-name stars are likely to depart before the action gets underway.

One of those, Rodrigo Moreno, at least offered the club a high-level of respect when questioned about links to Real Madrid.

On the club’s radar will be a new director of football. And with Victor Orta falling on his sword in the closing weeks of the season, the next appointment for Leeds will be a key one.

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Next Leeds manager: Andoni Iraola agrees another job

However, before any of that is put in place, Leeds will first hope to get their new manager nailed down.

And the club are interviewing a number of possible candidates as they look to put their plans in place.

However, one man strongly linked with the vacancy, Andoni Iraola, appears to have ruled himself out.

Leeds strongly pushed to appoint the 40-year-old in February after showing the door to Jesse Marsch. However, he opted to stay loyal to then-club Rayo Vallecano with his deal due to expire once the season ended.

The Basque-born coach has since let that agreement lapse, leaving him free to take another job elsewhere. However, despite links to both Leeds and Celtic, it seems Iraola is closing on another job.

Per Diario de Almeria, Iraola has already said ‘yes’ to taking the job at Almeria this summer. The LaLiga side finished the season just gone in 17th place, just a point clear of relegation.

And while the job is yet to be made official, there is a growing confidence that Iraola will make the Municipal Stadium his next port of call.

Their offer to him has reportedly already been accepted. And while a late approach could turn his head, it was enough for him to accept the offer for now.

Daniel Farke the new favourite for Leeds vacancy

As a result, former Norwich boss Daniel Farke is now the clear favourite to become the next Leeds manager.

The 46-year-old is out of work having left Borussia Monchengladbach just a year into a three-year deal. But having won two of the last five Championship titles with Norwich, his credentials are reportedly to the liking of 49ers Enterprises.

Indeed, Farke will reportedly hold talks with the Whites this week. And should he impress, Farke could well find himself chosen to lead Leeds in their new era.

Should that happen, Leeds will hope he can claim a third crown in six years – this time at Elland Road.

And should he get the gig, former Leeds midfielder Carlton Palmer reckons they would fancy their chances of promotion.

“This would be a popular appointment from the Leeds United supporters’ perspective,” Palmer told Football League World. “Daniel guided Norwich to the Premier League with ease, so he’s been there and done it.

“You know there’s going to be high profile departures from Leeds due to relegation. But given the money that will be at his disposal, you would fancy his chances of getting Leeds back to the Premier League at the first attempt.”

Farke, though, is also a target for Celtic and Palmer reckons the Glasgow giants would be hard to reject.

“Celtic, a big, big club would be hard to turn down if he was offered a contract.”

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