Leeds United eye Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola as Jesse Marsch’s replacement | OneFootball

Leeds United have Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola on their radar as they search for Jesse Marsch’s replacement, reports The Athletic.

The Elland Road club parted ways with the American today after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

Leeds are 17th in the Premier League after suffering their 10th defeat of the campaign.

It was the final straw for Marsch and Iraola has emerged as an option.

The 40-year-old has been at the Spanish club since August 2020.

The former Athletic Bilbao right-back helped Rayo seal promotion in 2020-21. He then led them to 12th in the Spanish top-flight last term.

They are currently fifth in La Liga after 20 games, and Iraola is admired by a couple of European clubs.

Leeds are weighing up an approach, and whether they can land him is unclear.

Rayo’s high-pressing style of play under Iraola has attracted the Whites.

They want to appoint Marsch’s successor as soon as they can and will be contacting different managers.

Assistant manager Chris Armas and under-21 coaches Michael Skubala and Paco Gallardo are in charge for now.

They will act as caretakers for Wednesday night’s Premier League game with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Iraola played under Marcelo Bielsa at Bilbao during the two years the Argentine spent as the club’s manager.

He would have learnt one or two things about coaching and management under the ex-Leeds boss.

Marsch failed to take the west Yorkshire club to the next level despite guiding them to safety last term.

He was seen by the Peacocks as Bielsa’s natural successor.

However, the vision did not click and the search for their next manager could see them appoint Iraola.

Rayo are pushing for European qualification and could be against letting go of their manager.