Leeds United

Leeds United: Laudrup firm no to Whites job

Since Garry Monk and Leeds United went their separate way, the former tendering his resignation from the latter, there has been much speculation on who would be the next man in to take the manager’s job.

It is to be expected, despite being in the Sky Bet Championship Leeds United are still a ‘big name’ in English football. Early front-runners and bookmaker’s favourites were ex-Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka and former Leicester manager and Premier League winner Claudio Ranieri.

At the moment the money is on Karanka, with odds as certain as 1/5 on being placed against him taking up the Elland Road job. Ranieri has drifted to a more distant 9/2 from odds once as short as 2/1.

Another ‘name’ that was once more prominent has also drifted, that of former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Denmark star Michael Laudrup. The great Dane was once as short as 8/1 to become the next Leeds manager, coming from nowhere to those odds.

As a player he was a veteran of 228 La Liga games, 162 Serie A appearances and made 491 appearances in total as a professional. He is a five-times La Liga winner, winner of one Champion League title as well as a Spanish cup winner, amongst other titles. Across his career he scored 101 goals in total, including 50 in La Liga alone where he won two player of the year awards whilst at Barcelona.

Currently he is manager of Qatari side Al Rayyan, having managed the Stars League side for 23 matches since taking up the role on September 26 last year.

However, as of this morning, he now lies further out at odds of 18/1, and has come out in the Danish press as flatly denying he has any interest in taking up the Elland Road hotseat.

Responding to an interview request by Ekstra Bladet, Laudrup said, via an e-mail response, “The season has ended in various leagues, so there are now plenty of (loose) rumors for both players and coaches. I have another year’s contract in Al Rayyan, and as I continue to thrive, I will complete it.”

This denial of interest is likely merely a fait accompli, with Aitor Karanka feted as ready to be named the new Leeds United boss in the near future, an announcement said to be imminent.

Who should Leeds United appoint – what are your thoughts?

Original source: Ekstra Bladet (Danish)
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