The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 19th June) - Is Iraola still an outside bet for Leeds coach?
Good Morning. It's Monday 19th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Is Iraola still an outside bet for Leeds coach?
Developments over the weekend have seen Andoni Iraola re-enter the race for the vacant ER hot-seat. The 40 year old was expected to join Almeria, who escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season. Instead, the Andalusia based club announced over the weekend that Vicente Moreno would become their new head coach. This has seen a shift in betting patterns, with odds already tumbling to 8/1.
Leeds first approached Iraola back in February, following Jesse Marsch's sacking. At the time, Iraola's club, Rayo Vallecano were flying high, and heading for Europe, but a slump in form, following Leeds interest saw them win only 4 of their last 18 games.
He was offered a contract extension at the end of the season, but decided to part ways, leaving him available to be snapped up. Iraola, 40, a former right back was bought up in Gipuzkoa, in the Basque province of Spain. He played most of his career at Athletic Bilbao, where he made over 500 appearances.
He entered management in 2018 with Cypriot outfit AEK Larnaca, before moving back to Spain a year later with CD Mirandés. Having reached the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, he caught the eye of Segunda División Rayo Vallecano, who, having just parted ways with Paco Jémez, made him an offer he couldn't refuse. The following season, they gained promotion to La Liga via the play-offs.
Everton plan double Leeds capture
Everton are in talks with Leeds Utd over the services of Wilfred Gnonto and Jack Harrison. The blue side of Merseyside are looking to bolster their squad following back to back brushes with relegation, and see the Leeds pair as players who will drastically improve their squad.
Following demotion, Leeds have their work cut out to persuade their better players to stay, and fight it out in the Championship. It wasn't that long ago that Harrison was tipped for an England call up, whilst Gnonto's potential has attracted many top clubs, including Arsenal, but it is Everton, who are prepared to put their money where their mouths are!
Recent media speculation indicates Leeds are only asking £18m for Gnonto, half the amount the club splashed out on Georginio Rutter back in January; whilst Harrison, who signed a new four deal earlier this year has been slapped with a £35m price tag.
Many fans will feel aggrieved that Leeds will even do business with Everton, a team so unscrupulous with their finances, that they could get a job with FIFA.
Bielsa’s time took a toll on Bamford's body
Former Arsenal and England star Ian Wright believes Marcelo Bielsa's strict training regimes has taken its toll on Patrick Bamford. The 29yo, who has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of years, netted just six times last season, during 1500 minutes of game time.
If truth be told, I can't remember the last time, he looked match fit, yet with only Rodrigo in support, Leeds had no choice but continue to use him. Bamford has another three years left on his £70,000 a week contract, and although his salary would have dropped following relegation, I can't envisage him going anywhere in the foreseeable future.
Nonetheless, football journalist Dean Jones believes he will thrive in he Championship next season.
I think Bamford will score goals in the Championship anyway. I think that's a level that he thrives at and whichever manager that comes into Leeds, I would expect Bamford to be the leading man next season and expect him to score goals. I think that's probably one of the good things that their next manager would look at is that in that division, particularly, they do have a good goal source.