Leeds United’s search for their next manager continues to rumble on into another week and with former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder now out of the running, who could they now turn to?
What is the latest Leeds manager news?
Several names have been linked with the vacant post at Elland Road, including former Premier League managers Steven Gerrard (Aston Villa) and Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur), via the Daily Mail.
Arne Slot of Feyenoord was considered to be the top candidate before he rejected the Whites’ advances, whilst one of Marcelo Bielsa’s proteges in Rayo Vallecano’s up-and-coming boss Andoni Irahola has seemingly said no too.
AS Monaco manager Philippe Clement is a more recent addition to the shortlist, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.
Who is Philippe Clement?
It’s been a little over a week since Radrizzani and the Leeds hierarchy sacked Jesse Marsch after a disappointing defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Since then, U21 boss Michael Skubala has taken interim control of the squad, navigating them to two pretty impressive performances against Manchester United – even if they only have one point to show for it.
The Yorkshire outfit needs some clarity over their future, however, as they sit in a rather precarious position above the drop zone heading into the final few months of the season.
They must also ensure that a repeat scenario doesn’t happen because some longevity and stability in the dugout could be exactly what the club needs.
Clement, who is a relatively unknown name in England, would be quite the hire as he has transformed Monaco’s fortunes in recent times, so he could well replicate that at Elland Road.
“His profile as a modern coach, with his teams playing with great intensity and [is] daring, including on the continental stage,” claimed Les Rouge et Blanc sporting director Paul Mitchell. “His ability to combine titles and the development of young players have made him one of the most prominent and successful coaches in Europe in recent years.”
Glowing praise indeed.
The former Club Brugge and KRC Genk stalwart has now been in charge at the Stade Louis II for a little over a year, earning a 55.3% win rate from 56 matches in charge, of which only 11 outings have seen him taste defeat.
Some of his most notable scalps have been against Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain – in fact, they are yet to defeat Clement’s Monaco side since he took the helm, meaning the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and ex-ASM wonderkid Kylian Mbappe have all been thwarted by his remarkable tactics.
A 1-1 draw at Les Parc Des Princes is sandwiched between two home victories, 3-0 and most recently 3-1, at the weekend.
Clement came in a time where Monaco were inconsistent and since he’s managed to get the best out of an injury-prone Aleksandr Golovin – think what he could do to help Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo – whilst also reinvigorating players such as Myron Boadu, who has gone from struggling flop to a reborn animal under his control.
Perhaps he could have the same effect on players such as Rasmus Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson in west Yorkshire.
The 48-year-old, who hails from Antwerp in Belgium, has also unearthed some unknown gems such as Vanderson, so he’s clearly an outstanding coach no matter what is at his disposal.
As such, if Radrizzani wants to totally transform the fortunes of Leeds on the pitch, then he could do little wrong in taking a punt on Clement, given the evidence above.
AND in other news, Orta may drop clanger with “clueless” Leeds move for 42 y/o who’s worse than Schreuder…
