A whole host of managers were linked with a move to Leeds United after the sacking of Jesse Marsch and one of those has just guided his side to Champions League qualification.
Marsch saved his title as Leeds manager ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a shock win against Liverpool to win 2-1 at Anfield, and then a comeback win over Bournemouth at Elland Road to win 4-3.
Many still believed that Marsch should have been sacked after those two wins, giving Leeds the time and availability to replace the American during the winter break but Marsch stayed to fight another day.
It saw Leeds struggle after the World Cup and after a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in February, Marsch was sacked. Plenty were linked, including the man set to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, in Arne Slot.
Another was a manager that has just guided his side to Champions League qualification this week, a feat that is way beyond expectation at the start of the current campaign having only joined in October 2022.
Leeds wanted Unai Emery to replace Marsch before Villa move
Unai Emery has sparkled in his role as Aston Villa manager after replacing Steven Gerrard almost two years ago. Tottenham’s loss to Manchester City saw Villa secure their place in fourth on Tuesday night.
Emery of course, would have been an ambitious hire by the Leeds board at the time and even more so now. The Spaniard moved to Villa after spells at Arsenal and PSG, and was impressing as Villarreal boss.
Javi Gracia replaced Marsch after an interim spell under now-Lincoln manager Michael Skubala but the Leeds board were considering a move for Emery, until Villa moved to bring in the “brilliant” Spaniard.
Stephen Warnock says Leeds man would struggle to reject Emery
Now, Villa have been linked with a move to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds whether The Whites are promoted or remain in the Championship, with the Dutchman having a hand in 30 goals this season.
Stephen Warnock recently said that if Villa and Emery come calling, especially with Champions League football on offer, Summerville might struggle to reject the advances of the Midlands club this summer.
However, reports this week state that Summerville’s stance is that he will remain in Yorkshire if the club are promoted to the Premier League which comes as a massive boost to Daniel Farke and his side.
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