What Andoni Iraola said made him not want to join Leeds United as Jesse Marsch’s replacement

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Just over two years ago, Leeds United were searching for Jesse Marsch’s replacement after Victor Orta decided to sack Jesse Marsch after a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Leeds had plenty of chances to score on the day but Brennan Johnson’s early goal was the difference at The City Ground. The second-half display was so tactically inept that Leeds opted to fire the American.

A decision that in hindsight, should have been made before the World Cup break that season but wins over Liverpool and Bournemouth prior to the Qatar World Cup gave Marsch a stay of execution.

Michael Skubala took interim charge as plenty of names were linked. Liverpool’s Arne Slot was an option while he was at Feyenoord, while now-Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was also linked with Leeds.

• READ MORE: What Leeds target Abdoulaye Sissako said about his future at Kortrijk in 2024

Andoni Iraola said why he didn’t join Leeds United back in 2023

However, Leeds’ top target was now-Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. A former player to have played under Marcelo Bielsa at Bilbao, Iraola’s managerial style showed hallmarks of the Argentine’s methods.

Leeds tried to lure Iraola to Elland Road having impressed as Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on a tiny budget. But, and understandably so, Iraola remained at Rayo until that summer before he joined Bournemouth.

Speaking to Sky Sports at the end of 2022-23, Iraola explained why he had a move to Elland Road had not materialised and even suggested that it wasn’t his decision – but, he did admit the timing wasn’t right.

“I was really pleased that they thought of me as an option,” Iraola told Sky Sports in 2023. “I talked to Rayo Vallecano, who had to make the decision, and I understood that Rayo wanted to continue with me.

“You cannot think in things that could have happened. It was what it was. We talked, Leeds were very open with Rayo. We talked for one day, ‘OK, it’s not the moment, it’s over.’ It is nothing more than that.”

Andoni Iraola has sparkled since Leeds United move failed

Iraola remained at Rayo after Leeds’ attempts and then joined Bournemouth where he has sparkled as The Cherries’ manager, even signing Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra from Leeds in the process.

Leeds meanwhile, appointed Javi Gracia. Gracia was then sacked on his birthday just 12 games later, and Leeds were relegated with Sam Allardyce given the impossible task of keeping Leeds up in four games.

Andoni Iraola’s managerial career in numbers since Leeds interest:

The Whites are still recovering from Marsch’s mess, which ultimately got the club relegated. Daniel Farke is pushing Leeds towards promotion, with the Whites top of the Championship and eight games to play.