Alfred Schreuder wants to be Leeds United head coach

Former Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder is seriously vying to become Leeds United head coach, with Elland Road Club determined to end their search for a new boss in time for Saturday’s crucial game at Everton.

Schreuder was in the crowd at Elland Road today for Leeds’ 2-0 defeat by Manchester United and has come into the reckoning after a week in which the Premier League side were given no 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.

The interest in Arne Slot from Feyenoord also remained in the sand despite talks in Holland this week. Leeds also admire former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo, but Gallardo, who left River Plate after eight years in office in October, has made it clear he wants his next job to start at the start of a full campaign.

All the attention of the last 24 hours has turned to Schreud, the 50-year-old Dutchman who Ajax signed to Manchester United in the summer following the departure of Erik Ten Hag.

Schreuder, who previously played at Club Brugge and Hoffenheim, played at Ajax for just over eight months and was sacked two weeks ago after poor form in the Eredivisie.

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

Schreuder’s arrival would give Leeds an opportunity to agree a date by the end of this season, with the aim of avoiding relegation and taking stock in the summer.

The club sit 17th in the Premier League after today’s loss to Manchester United, a point above the last three ahead of crucial relegation battles with Everton at Goodison Park and Southampton at Elland Road.

GO DEEPER

Iraola, Corberan and how Leeds United want their head coach search to work

(Photo: Getty Images)