Leeds want to appoint Jesse Marsch replacement in time for Man United on Sunday

Leeds United want to appoint a new manager in time for Sunday’s match with Manchester United – with Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan the frontrunners.

Club sources have indicated the Whites have narrowed their search down to a shortlist of four and started interviewing on Monday night. However, all of their top candidates are currently in jobs, which could delay their quest to have a new man in place by the weekend.

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani is understood to be flying into England from his home in Italy to head up the process. 

Chief executive Angus Kinnear and director of football Victor Orta, meanwhile, held a meeting with players at the club’s Thorp Arch training ground on Tuesday to update them on the latest developments.

Orta was influential in the appointment of Marsch last year and is again playing a key role in hiring his successor, leaning on his connections in his Spanish homeland. 

Corberan (left) and Iraola (right) have emerged as the frontrunners to replace Jesse Marsch, who was sacked on Monday

He is keen on former Spain international Iraola, who has led Rayo to fifth in La Liga and draws his coaching inspiration from ex-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, who he played under at Athletic Bilbao.

The 40-year-old sidestepped questions about a possible move to Elland Road following Rayo’s 2-0 win over Almeria on Monday night. ‘Football belongs to the footballers, we are not that important,’ said Iraola. ‘The players make us look better. They are the ones who are achieving this.’

Orta is also understood to have sounded out Real Madrid legend Raul, now in charge of the club’s ‘B’ team, but no further talks with him are expected. Radrizzani is a fan of Corberan, who previously worked at Leeds under Bielsa, and the Baggies boss would be keen on a switch back to West Yorkshire.

For Wednesday night’s match against rivals Manchester…