06 February 2023 , 16:53
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Leeds United are on the lookout for a new manager after announcing the sacking of Jesse Marsch less than a year into his reign at Elland Road.
The American coach, 49, was hired last February following the club's emotional decision to axe beloved boss Marcelo Bielsa, as the Yorkshire side faced the threat of relegation from the Premier League after just two seasons back in the top tier. Marsch led a survival charge as Leeds escaped the drop on the final day, with Burnley going down in their place.
This term hasn't been much better, though, leaving the former Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig gaffer out of work following Sunday's dismal 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest. The Elland Road hierarchy - led by chairman Andrea Radrizzani - are now drawing up a list of candidates to replace Marsch, with Chris Armas set to act as caretaker boss for back-to-back games against Manchester United this week.
The double-header is followed by crucial clashes with fellow strugglers Everton and Southampton. With the search underway, here are five managers who Leeds could turn to as they face another battle to beat the drop.
1. Carlos Corberan
A familiar face to Peacocks supporters, Carlos Corberan's impressive work since leaving Leeds in the summer of 2020 makes him the bookies' favourite to replace Marsch. The Spaniard left Bielsa's coaching staff to take charge of Huddersfield Town, where after a difficult first season in which the Terriers narrowly avoided relegation, he superbly led them to the Championship play-off final last May.
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Beaten 1-0 by Forest at Wembley thanks to an unfortunate own goal, Corberan resigned in July and took the Olympiakos job - only to last 11 games. Now back in English football, the 39-year-old has recovered from his ill-fated spell in Greece to take West Brom from the relegation zone to the top six in just five months.
Carlos Corberan is the bookies' favourite for the vacant Leeds job (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Corberan's attractive brand of football will appeal to Leeds fans, who grew accustomed to watching attacking football during Bielsa's memorable tenure. His ties to Elland Road are sure to play a part in any potential discussions, but would Corberan be willing to jump ship again after being burnt last time he quit on a club prematurely?
2. Ange Postecoglou
The man who turned Celtic around in a matter of months at the beginning of last term, Ange Postecoglou's stock continues to rise thanks to his terrific stint in Glasgow. Wrestling back the Scottish title from bitter rivals Rangers in his maiden campaign, the Australian-Greek gaffer was among the names linked with the Everton job before Sean Dyche succeeded Frank Lampard.
Ange Postecoglou has repeated his success in Asia and Oceania as Celtic boss (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Steely, savvy and a serial winner for much of his nomadic career, Leeds fans would no doubt fall in love with Postecoglou's character, one which would suit being in trenches thanks to his fiery passion and unwavering determination. Although Celtic would fight tooth and nail to keep the 57-year-old above the border, the chance to manage one of English football's most famous clubs might prove too tempting if Radrizzani and co come knocking.
3. Mauricio Pochettino
Believed to be on Leeds' wish-list well before the decision was made to sack Marsch, Mauricio Pochettino would be a huge coup for the Peacocks if they managed to secure his services. Out of work since the summer after Paris Saint-Germain rather brutally gave him the chop, the acclaimed ex- Tottenham and Southampton boss hasn't had many openings so far this term.
Mauricio Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by PSG last June (AFP via Getty Images)Keen to work in the Premier League again, Pochettino could be convinced by Leeds' history and potential-filled squad, as reports suggest that the club want a long-term project rather than a firefighter. Although a move to Yorkshire feels unlikely and a return to Spurs at the end of the season has already been mooted, it's certainly worth a call from Radrizzani.
4. Kjetil Knutsen
The most left-field option on this list, Kjetil Knutsen has emerged as a well-regarded name in world of coaching over the past few seasons thanks to his outstanding feats with Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt. Winning the domestic title in both 2020 and 2021 before finishing as close runners-up to Molde in 2022, Knutsen's small-town side famously beat Jose Mourinho's Roma 6-1 in the Europa Conference League last October.
Kjetil Knutsen's work at Bodo/Glimt largely went under the radar until last season (Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)Having been with Bodo/Glimt for more than five years and the new Eliteserien campaign not starting until April, now might be the right time for the Norwegian tactician to make the next step in his promising career. If Marsch's eyebrow-raising appointment nearly a year ago is anything to go by, Leeds may well be bold enough to appoint the 54-year-old - another complete novice to the rigours of a Premier League relegation battle - amid their fight for survival.
Have your say! Who should Leeds hire as their new manager? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.
5. Marcelo Bielsa
Marcelo Bielsa is keen on a return to management after missing out on the Everton job (AFP via Getty Images)Finally, could it be a fairytale return for Marco Bielsa? Well, the romantics of football would certainly enjoy seeing the Argentine come back to Leeds and produce a heartwarming rescue act. Bielsa is evidently keen to get back on the touchline - notably holding talks with Everton before the Toffees ultimately decided on Dyche, as well as reports claiming his interest in the formerly vacant Poland job.
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A legendary figure at Elland Road who revitalised the club upon his arrival in 2018, Leeds made the difficult decision to dismiss the 67-year-old last February after a serious case of second-season syndrome. Perhaps it's foolish to risk tainting Bielsa's legacy even further but the bookies still have him third-favourite.