Journalist reacts to reports Leeds have interviewed Nuno

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Journalist Gabriele Marcotti has told The Gab and Juls Podcast that Leeds United appointing Nuno Espírito Santo as their new manager would make absolutely no sense amid reports that he has been interviewed for the post.

Leeds remain without a permanent manager more than one week after sacking Jesse Marsch. The club appeared to put a temporary end to speculation by confirming that Michael Skubala will oversee the upcoming fixtures after he took charge of the back-to-back games against Manchester United.

It was a smart move from the Leeds hierarchy. Of course, they cannot control exactly what filters out to the press. But it did seem that their pursuit of a new manager had become almost farcical with so many names emerging.

‘Makes zero sense’: Marcotti baffled as Leeds are linked with Nuno

Leeds have failed or stepped back from interest in the likes of Andoni Iraola, Raul, Marcelo Gallardo, Arne Slot, Carlos Corberan, and Alfred Schreuder, according to The Times.

Meanwhile, The Times reported this week that they had interviewed Nuno over the role. The Portuguese is currently working in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad after spells with Wolves and Tottenham.

As time has moved on, the idea of appointing Nuno temporarily has garnered support from a drained fanbase. But there is a major stumbling block, with The Times reporting that he would cost £5.3 million due to a release clause in his contract.

That would obviously be a huge price to pay. And Marcotti has reacted to the reports by suggesting that he cannot fathom why Leeds would pay that sort of money for Nuno.

“This is a crazy story, I don’t believe it for a second,” Julien Laurens initially told The Gab and Juls Podcast.

“Nuno would not be a fit. Nuno, plus £6 million, not a fit. It just makes no sense. Think of Nuno’s football versus the football that they played under Marsch or Bielsa. I wonder, who is Nuno Espirito Santo’s agent? I wonder. This is like: ‘hey, how can I get this guy in the news?’

“This makes zero sense to me.”

Paying a release clause would be worthwhile to keep Whites in Premier League

Obviously paying that sort of release clause would make sense if Leeds were really confident that they were landing the manager who would keep them up. Clearly, they would lose a lot more by being relegated.

Reports from The Telegraph this week suggested that Leeds were prepared to pay £6.2 million to appoint Iraola. So they are seemingly prepared to spend to get their new manager.

But Nuno’s time at Tottenham did not work out well. And his spell at Wolves ultimately went stale and it seemed like all parties were ready for a change.

It is not the most inspiring record given what is at stake for Leeds over the next few months. So you can understand why Marcotti and Laurens cannot see it happening.