Next Leeds manager: Club could now turn to Benitez or even Hasenhuttl in search

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The Guardian claim that Leeds United could turn to a manager that is not currently in work in the form of Rafa Benitez or Ralph Hasenhuttl, after being rejected by both Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan.

Corberan rejected a return to Leeds earlier this week, signing a new deal at West Brom until the summer of 2027. Now, Spaniard Iraola has turned a move to Leeds down. It is believed his club were very keen on keeping him in the dugout.

Now, the front runner is Arne Slot. But there are issues. Feyenoord are top of the table, and it will be difficult for the Dutchman to go. He has never won the Eredivisie, despite spending his entire professional career in his home country.

So, Slot could be the third manager to turn Leeds down and it will be up in the air, where Leeds turn to after that. It might be that the Premier League side, who desperately need a new manager, could turn to the out-of-work market.

Indeed, if they do so, the Guardian name two managers that are realistic targets. Ralph Hasenhuttl, out of work since his sacking in November at Southampton. The other in Benitez, who really struggled in his last spell as Everton boss.

Leeds could turn to out-of-work duo Rafa Benitez or Ralph Hasenhuttl

Neither would go down well. Of course, Benitez’s CV is one of the best around but his time at Everton was poor. To go from an attacking, free-flowing side fans love – to a pragmatic Benitez team, would cause upset among the supporters.

Hasenhuttl makes more sense. A faith in youth, and plenty of experience at the wrong end of the Premier League. But it did not end well at Southampton and that will be fresh in the memory of Leeds fans. Neither, are particularly exciting.