Phil Hay has written in his latest Athletic piece that the 49ers would have targeted Andoni Iraola as Leeds United’s next manager if the club had remained in the Premier League – with Iraola confirming he is leaving Rayo Vallecano.
Iraola, 40, has impressed in his early stints as a manager. A disciple of Marcelo Bielsa, he took over at Rayo three years ago with the club still in the second tier. Promotion, followed by 12th and 11th-placed finishes in La Liga.
Of course, the ex-Bilbao right-back was a target for Leeds upon the sacking of Jesse Marsch. But with Rayo in the mix for European qualification, Iraola remained. His side tailed off in the latter third of the season, finishing in 11th.
Iraola was seen as a Victor Orta target back in February but with Orta now gone, it was unclear what our stance was on the Spaniard. Especially, with Iraola confirming he will exit. Hay says the 49ers would have maintained interest.
“Orta made a heavy play to land Iraola before Javi Gracia. Had Leeds held onto their place in the Premier League, would-be owners 49ers Enterprises would have weighed up Iraola as an option again,” Hay writes in The Athletic.
“The 40-year-old is a free agent after leaving Rayo Vallecano but is most likely too coveted to consider taking a job in the Championship. And in any case, over the past week discussions at Leeds have focused much closer to home.”
49ers would have targeted Iraola as Leeds manager if in Premier League
It remains to be seen who Leeds will target as the club’s next manager as the 49ers close in on a takeover. The likes of Brendan Rodgers, Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard, Graham Potter and Carlos Corberan have all been linked with us.
But until the 49ers assume full control, it is unclear what they want to do. Angus Kinnear has been calling the shots since Leeds were relegated, but can hardly make a proper decision until the 49ers are in charge. Clock is ticking.
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