Leeds United target Andoni Iraola has already outlined his ambition to manage in the Premier League. The Spaniard, who has relative minnows Rayo Vallecano sitting fifth in La Liga, is among the favourites to replace Jesse Marsch.
A former Marcelo Bielsa protege, Iraola spent two seasons under the Argentine throughout his 12-year stay at Athletic Bilbao. The influence is notable as Rayo also adopt a high-risk, high-reward style akin to the former ex-Leeds manager.
Bielsa, too, is also linked with an emotional return to Elland Road. However, with the club in an identical situation to when he left 12 months ago, it is hard to make the case for a comeback.
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At 40, Iraola would provide a fresh-faced alternative, having emerged as one of Europe’s most talented young managers. Spain and Greece may have applauded the beginning of his managerial career, but the Premier League is where Iraola believes his true destiny lies.
“To get to the Premier League things would need to go very well for me,” he told the Daily Mail in 2021. “I'd have to have a very good career to get there but I'd love to because right now it's the best league in the world. But I'm conscious that I've just started. I have had 13 games in La Liga and I have to do a lot more to prove myself as a coach.”
A little-known fact is how Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe visited Iraola during his 15-month hiatus from football. After his Bournemouth departure, the Toon boss embarked on an educational trip to improve his skills.
Heavyweights like Jurgen Klopp and Diego Simeone were approached, but so was Iraola. Howe had taken a liking to the Spaniard’s progressive style and paid the up-and-coming coach a visit.
In their time of desperate need, Newcastle came calling for the ex-Cherries manager. The job offer came not long after his visit to Vallecas and, ironically, Iroala could be given a similar remit to the one Howe received on Tyneside: avoid relegation.
“We spent a lot of time talking and exchanging ideas and learning from each other,” Iroala recounted. “But above all, I was learning from him because he has lots of experience in the Premier League which, for me, is very valuable.
“We spoke about certain games he had and the best way to approach matches against the top teams. I wanted to learn his methods of training and he made a big impression on me.
“I'm delighted that not long after (we met) he got an opportunity with Newcastle and I'm convinced he's going to do well there. He told me he has been educating himself in this time without a team, analysing many aspects of the game, and I wish him all the best.”
An obsession with English football appears deep-rooted inside Iraola. In fact, when Howe invited him to a mid-World Cup friendly at St James’ Park, he described Rayo’s attributes as similar to a Premier League side.
The Bielsa and, to an extent, Marsch blueprint has tried to follow a similar, attack-minded pattern in recent years. Appointing Iraola would serve as a snub to those suggesting Leeds should change tack and appoint a defensive-minded coach to keep them in the top flight.
“It was really good and just the test we needed,” Howe said post-match. “They (Rayo Vallecano) have been very good this season, a really strong team. They play like a Premier League team. A very aggressive, front-foot team.
“I thought there was some really good stuff from us, especially in the first half. The second half was a little bit bitty, with a lot of substitutions.”
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