Good Morning. It's Wednesday 8th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Orta in Madrid but bookies back Slot Victor Orta has flown to Madrid to hold talks with Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola regarding the vacant Managerial role at Elland Road. The 40yo has transformed the fortunes of 'the Vallecans' since taking over from Paco Jémez in the Summer of 2020; guiding them from the Segunda Division to a top 5 outfit in La Liga. Could their be a twist in the tail? Betfair are heavily backing Feyenoord head coach Arend Slot. He has an impressive managerial record. Overseeing 138 games, his side have only lost 23 times. Live betting shows the 44yo odds on favourite at 2/5, with Iraola a generous 7/4. What do they know, that we don't know? please log in to view this image Corberan commits long term future to Baggies Carlos Corberan has signed a new lucrative long term deal at the Hawthorns, thwarting speculation that the 39yo is set to occupy the vacant hot seat at Elland Road. What the Spaniard has achieved in a short amount of time cannot be ignored, but his lack of experience at the highest level would be too much of a gamble at this point in time. Obviously delighted with his new terms, Corberan was quoted as saying:- “I have enjoyed my time at Albion, and I am pleased to have secured a contract extension. I would like to thank my staff, the players, and our fantastic supporters for their help in making my time here so positive. “I would also like to thank Ron Gourlay for continuing to show faith in me as a coach. I believe that success can only be achieved when everyone works together and the way I have been made to feel welcome at this great club has made me confident that this is the right place for me. “It is important to me that we do not let this moment distract us from our target, which is to ensure we improve every day, making the team more and more competitive for the challenges ahead. My focus is always on earning a positive result in our next game and we are working hard to achieve that at Birmingham City on Friday night.” please log in to view this image Gelhardt tricked into signing new ER contract Former player, pundit and WUM Paul Robinson has stated that he believes Joe Gelhardt was tricked into signing a new contract last Summer. The 20yo forward has slipped down the pecking order at Elland Road, prompting a loan move to Sunderland last month. Reading between the lines, the former Leeds shot stopper is suggesting the club would have promised Joffy game time, and obviously haven't kept their side of the bargain. Robbo is about as popular as Gabriel Agbonlahor. During an interview this week, he suggested Angelos Postecoglou would be his choice as next Manager, will Harry Kewell as his assistant. “For Gelhardt, it’s imperative that he plays,” “I think he was hoodwinked into signing a new contract in all honesty. “He’s been a very bit-part player and his only role has been coming off the bench." “When he does come off the bench, he has an impact and he either creates goals or scores them." “He’s been very unfortunate to have not started games in the past when I thought he should have done." “They’ve relied heavily on Patrick Bamford and we’ve talked so much over the last 18 months about him being injured." “They’ve played Rodrigo there, they’ve played Dan James there, they’ve played Jack Harrison there. All that without starting Gelhardt so there was clearly an issue there for him. “It’s important he goes out for his own development so he can play and score goals and what better place to do it than Sunderland? " “They’re doing really well and with Tony Mowbray as the manager. He’s known for developing young players and for his man-management skills." “It’s a great time to play for a big football club like Sunderland and he could be a part of a promotion-winning side.” please log in to view this image
My choice would be Iraola as it’s a better league and I like the sound of his style of play, would’ve been more natural after Bielsa. Do we know if he speaks English? Not that it mattered with Bielsa but if time is of the essence and he doesn’t have a big coaching team like Bielsa, either way both managers being touted are big gambles but hopefully they pay off. Don’t want Slot as I think his style is similar too Marsch so could be a case of working in lessor leagues again. Corberan would’ve been my first choice but hey ho, good contract video by West Brom. Paul Robinson seems to despise Leeds these days and just another ex footballer trying to get clicks. Gelhardt may have been offered game time and may have just been offered a decent pay rise, either way he’s not kicked on and not been fancied by two managers now which says a lot so if you aren’t playing well enough then you don’t get into the team, simple as regardless of promises. Loan is needed for him, if he smashes it and comes back that’s all good and if he doesn’t at least we know where we stand. We aren’t in a position to start someone who “might” come good and the PL isn’t the place where you can do that unless you’re comfortable.
Hopefully today we will see white smoke and all get behind whoever it’s going to be. My view is Gallardo, followed by Iraola and then Slot, but looks like Slot and Iraola are favs. We could be deceived though and end up with Benitez or some such. Story in the midlands is that Corberan got sick of being messed around. Told he was first choice unofficially then heard nothing until he saw the story in Spain about Raul offered the job and he turned it down. Then he saw stories about others and still no official approach so he pulled the plug himself. The surprising thing for me in this is that if the Raul story is true and it seems to be, then a guy with no experience whatsoever was offered the job first…. A bit of a worry?
Yes he does. The 40-year-old former Spain right back speaks English following a stint at New York City as a player and has lifted Vallecano to fifth in LaLiga — bringing the best out of some of their young players.
Do we have to ruin morning threads by referencing Paul Robinson. The more he gets talked about the more we have to suffer him.
Morning all Gallardo 25/1 that’s a good price for Ortas favourite and supposed one of the three contenders. I’d like Slot out the three, I can’t offer any deep rational reason, he does speak several languages fluently, he does have a release clause too. The unemployed Gerardo Seoane on paper looks better than all three of them. Let’s just hope whoever it is does better than Jesse
Morning all. It's clear our pulling power isn't great despite fans quoting daft names such as Pochettino etc who wouldn't touch a near bottom of pl team. Even the baggies waving a new contract in front of Corberan, and off he's gone. Can't help but feel this is one of those watershed moments. Well be appointing a wiki manager again, that's fairly clear. Orta had better pull one out of the hat this time or its adios to the big time for him and all around him. However I tend to have faith in those on this board who keep telling me the there amigos are footballing geniuses and know exactly what they're at all the time, so confidence is sky high with Eire
A few more stories around on Orta speaking to Gallardo and seeing if he can entice him. Another story about Pep on TV asking why Gallardo isn’t involved in the best coach in the world debate as the same 3 coaches always there when Gallardo should be on it every year?
I know we should take it all with a pinch of salt with he said she said but by all accounts Corberan and Gallardo are said to be Ortas first and second choice. Saying that I can't possibly believe the 49ers or Radz had a clue who Slot or Iraola were a month ago
I don't disagree but deep down these are the coaches I was hoping we'd pull out all the stops for I know Dyche divides opinion but if we wanted a guy capable of working to a tight budget he was the man, why gamble on Iraola I guess a part of me was just living the dream in my head
Whichever way you look at it, huge match tonight and possibly a new manager to be announced some time today - never a dull moment
If coaches like pochettino wouldn't go to clubs near the bottom of the Premier league they can't have much faith in their ability to coach players so **** them.get someone who can coach players.
Lots if people saying things like: the experienced manager being talked about are out of work for a reason, they’re dinosaurs. I would agree with a lot of that. I would also point out that the likes of Gallardo stepped away from football in Argentina in October because he had won everything and wants another challenge, but maybe not yet more likely do something in the summer? if its going to be Iraola then the following piece is probably the best bit out there as it was published in 2022 when the football world took notice of him. Worth a read https://www.bettingodds.com/news/five-managers-catching-eye-europe-andoni-iraola-rayo-vallecano
Ristac I think it was you who said Feyenoord fans were gutted at the possibility of losing him and that rival fans of Ajax, PSV etc were hoping it happens. So very highly thought of by everyone it seems. That’s a good sign.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony says Leeds United have signed a player in Weston McKennie who isn’t good enough for the Premier League. “No, not from what I saw at the World Cup I don’t [think he’s Premier League quality]. But, listen, I’ve been proven wrong,” “A lot of the Americans have gone to Germany and done really well. I like the other guy Leeds have more, Aaronson, I actually like him. I love the midfielder, Tyler Adams. I really like him.”
