Leeds United moved into the relegation zone after they were beaten by Everton in what was a must-win encounter that was dubbed a six-pointer in the build-up to the game…
What’s the latest Leeds manager news?
The Yorkshire outfit are still no closer to a solution in the dugout, with U21 boss Michael Skubala set to remain as their interim for at least one game, though reports are now suggesting the 40-year-old could remain in place until the summer, at the very least.
90min are claiming that Skubala has been told that he could get the gig until the end of the season as the club have struggled to find a replacement for Jesse Marsch, who was sacked nearly two weeks ago.
A number of candidates, including Carlos Corberan, Andoni Iraola, Arne Slot and Alfred Schreuder, have all been linked with taking the vacant role but for varying reasons, none of the quartet will take the helm.
It’s thought that owner Andrea Radrizzani is content with sticking with Skubala and will assess the situation after next weekend’s clash with Southampton, which will be another six-pointer between 19th and 20th.
Is Michael Skubala the right appointment?
With the Whites now second-from-bottom, the Italian majority shareholder cannot afford to rest on his laurels because he risks watching his side drift further and further away from safety.
Under Skubala, Leeds have picked up just one point from three matches and whilst two of those games were promising against third-placed Manchester United, they have very little to show for it and defeat to the Toffees all but seals another relegation dogfight in the Premier League’s closing months.
Sean Dyche is off the market and has already instilled some belief and success at Goodison Park, not only beating the west Yorkshire side but also registering the scalp of league leaders Arsenal.
That blueprint suggests that a change with an experienced head at the helm could pay instant dividends, yet Radrizzani seems happy to settle for the largely unproven Skubala, who was in charge of the England futsal team for around four years before earning the academy job at Thorp Arch.
LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross recently touched on this in a recent column, where he said: “Assuming Skubala is going to get this right, at the first time of asking, at the top of the domestic game, with no margin for error, is a massive leap of faith.”
He certainly lacks the know-how in this league and if Leeds were to keep up this level of form under his tenure, then they will almost certainly be back in the Championship come the summer.
Therefore, the Elland Road faithful must be hugely worried by this news, especially after Sunday’s defeat extended their winless run to ten straight matches in the top-flight.
AND in other news, Leeds could finally replace Bielsa by hiring “incredible” 14-trophy boss loved by Pep Guardiola…