Leeds are in the search for a new manager after going different ways with Sam Allardyce after being relegated from the Premier League and Brendan Rodgers has emerged as a surprise leading contender for the vacant manager’s job.<\/p>\n
The Whites will now prepare for their first season back in the Championship after three years in the Premier League after an abysmal campaign ended with them finishing second bottom of the top-flight, after having gone through a succession of three managers over the course of the year.<\/p>\n
Jesse Marsch was sacked in February, followed by former Watford\u00a0boss Javi Gracia who was fired after just 12 games in charge. Big Sam was then brought in to lead the team for the final four matches of the season.<\/p>\n
However the Englishman was unable to pull any timely rabbits out of his hat to save the Whites from their fate, failing to win any of his games in charge as his side tumbled out of the Premier League. Allardyce will hence depart Elland Road after having held talks with the Leeds top brass who already appear to be preparing to move in a new direction after returning to the Championship.<\/p>\n
Apparently former Leicester boss Rodgers is on the shortlist drawn up by Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani, according to the Daily Star. The Italian is allegedly a ‘huge admirer’ of Rodgers, who has been out of work since his sacking by the Foxes in April. Leicester are also relegated to the Championship now, as Rodgers’ replacement Dean Smith was unable to save the Midlands side.<\/p>\n
Realistically it may take some convincing for Rodgers to step down to helm a Championship side as the Irishman boasts a CV commensurate with his creditable achievements in the Premier League and had impressed with Leicester before his final season, leading them to the FA Cup\u00a0in 2021.<\/p>\n
Uncertainty currently rules the day at Leeds as a host of star names are also expected to depart Elland Road, with Radrizzani’s position as owner still unresolved, with the Italian keen to sell to minority shareholders San Francisco 49ers Enterprises while eyeing a takeover of Sampdoria.<\/p>\n
The priority now would be to appoint a manager capable of securing an immediate return to the Premier League. Allardyce was clearly keen to stay, though Leeds are ready to move on without him after the Englishman made the size of the task ahead clear.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of work to be done here next season, even in the Championship. Goals need to be scored and you need goalscorers to score them. The squad is a little on the young side and lacks experience. As a squad they haven\u2019t been good enough,” he said following relegation.<\/p>\n
“You can\u2019t keep making unforced errors. We gifted Tottenham three goals today. Which way does the club want to go? You can\u2019t keep making these errors at this level. I\u2019m disappointed for the fans. They\u2019re very entitled to show their disapproval.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to sit down and discuss the whole infrastructure of the club. Recruitment is the number one factor for any manager. You can\u2019t improve a player by 10 per cent; it\u2019s going to be two to three per cent.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"