Alfred Schreuder in contention to become Leeds United head coach

Former Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder is in serious contention to become Leeds United head coach with the Elland Road club determined to end their search for a new boss in time for Saturday’s vital game at Everton.

Schreuder was in the crowd at Elland Road for Leeds’ 2-0 defeat to Manchester United today and has come into the reckoning after a week in which the Premier League side failed to land other options.

Leeds made a firm approach for Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola after sacking Jesse Marsch on Monday but were forced to look elsewhere after Rayo Vallecano blocked their attempt to lure Iraola to England.

Interest in Feyenoord’s Arne Slot also came to nothing despite conversations in Holland this week. Leeds are also admirers of former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo but Gallardo, who left River Plate after eight years in charge in October, has made it clear that he wants to start his next job at the beginning of a full campaign.

Attention in the past 24 hours has switched to Schreuder, the 50-year-old Dutchman who Ajax appointed in the summer following Erik Ten Hag’s departure for Manchester United.

Schreuder, who has prior stints at Club Brugge and Hoffenheim on his record, lasted for a little over eight months at Ajax and was sacked a fortnight ago after a poor run of form in the Eredivisie.

Leeds are yet to officially decide on him as their new boss but Schreuder flew to England to be present at this afternoon’s game and talks with him are expected to continue this evening.

Schreuder’s arrival would give Leeds the opportunity to make an appointment until the end of this season, with the aim of avoiding relegation and taking stock in the summer.

The club are 17th in the Premier League after today’s defeat to Manchester United, one point above the bottom three ahead of crucial relegation clashes with Everton at Goodison Park and Southampton at Elland Road.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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