Leeds want Real Madrid legend to replace Marsch ‘at all costs’ but bad ‘timing’ leads to snub | OneFootball

Leeds United want Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez to replace Jesse Marsch as head coach, according to reports in Spain.

Raul retired in November 2015 but did not take up his first coaching role until becoming Real Madrid Youth manager three years later.

He has been Real Madrid Castilla boss since July 2019 and is doing a pretty stellar job.

Raul’s side do not lose games very often, but have picked up plenty of draws this term.

According to Transfermarkt, RM Castilla have played a 5-4-1 formation in six of their last seven games after a lengthy spell playing a 4-2-3-1.

A move to the Premier League would be extremely interesting for a manager with no top-flight experience.

With Leeds in another relegation battle, it would be very surprising to see Raul replace Marsch in the Elland Road hot seat.

The American boss was given relieved of his duties on Monday afternoon with the Whites without a league win since November.

Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest was the final nail in the coffin, meaning the high number of players Marsch brought to Yorkshire will be playing under a new manager very soon.

Leeds face Manchester United home and away in the Premier League this week and Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo, and Chris Armas will take charge of Wednesday’s encounter at Old Trafford.

Former Leeds assistant coach and Under-21s manager Carlos Corberan is the favourite to replace Marsch, while ex-head coach Marcelo Bielsa is also being linked with a return.

The report states that the 45-year-old ‘declined’ the Whites’ approach, which came shortly after the dismissal of Marsch.

Leeds ‘want him at all costs’ but the ‘timing’ of the approach is ‘not ideal’ as Raul looks to earn promotion to the Spanish second division.

The Yorkshire outfit are not the first big club to be tempted by the Spanish manager.

It is added that Eintracht Frankfurt, Schalke – who he played for – and ‘some’ Spanish sides have ‘shown an interest’.

Raul’s rejection of Leeds will also be influenced by Raul’s ‘dream’ to manage Real Madrid’s first team one day.

Los Blancos’ current boss, Carlo Ancelotti, is out of contract in 2024 and his long-term future is uncertain.