The Celtic hierarchy remain confident Ange Postecoglou will not leave the Hoops in the lurch for Leeds United despite mounting speculation that the Aussie’s name has made it onto an Elland Road shortlist.
Postecoglou has been linked with a possible move to the Premier League strugglers ever since the trigger was pulled on American Jesse Marsch in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat at Nottingham Forest. And the interest appears to have intensified over the last 24 hours.
Reports from Yorkshire named Postecoglou as one of three bosses, currently in employment elsewhere, who are under serious consideration for the post, and West Brom's Carlos Corberan was another. But news that he has signed a new deal at West Brom appear to have put that to bed.
Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola - of who like Corberan worked with former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa - is the other name in the frame. But the relegation-threatened top flight outfit also see similarities between the management styles of Bielsa and Postecoglou - with the Celtic boss believed to fit perfectly with their desired profile for the job.
READ MORE: Patrick Bamford slammed for "joke" comments on Jesse Marsch tactics after Leeds sacking
Sources at the club insist the interview process got up and running after Marsch’s sacking on Monday, with further discussions held on Tuesday. But the Daily Record reports that, as of late Tuesday afternoon, Celtic had received no contact from the Leeds board asking for permission to open talks with Postecoglou.
Furthermore, chief executive Michael Nicholson and chairman Peter Lawwell believe the 57-year-old is happy, motivated and completely committed to leading his side towards a second successive Premiership title, despite any potential interest from across the border. Leeds have cobbled together a three man coaching team to take interim charge for Wednesday night’s clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the first of a double header against Erik Ten Hag’s side.
And they hope to have a new man nailed down in time for Sunday’s rematch at Elland Road. Stand-in coach Michael Skubala said: “This is a temporary situation. I’m happy to support the club and look after the club at this moment in time while they work really hard to find a new head coach. I’ll go back to my old role when this is done. I’ll just do the best job I can do.”
And Manchester United boss Ten Hag criticised Leeds for being too quick to bring the axe down on Marsch - while warning that the next man might be even more unlikely to save them from the drop. The Dutchman said: “It’s sad and in general I don’t believe that if you sack a manager you get better results. Most of the time it doesn’t work.
"Let managers do their work, finish their work and then have an evaluation. Obviously the pressure is high with the decision makers in football clubs but if you see the stats then most of the time it doesn’t work out well.”
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