Former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly turned down the chance to take charge at Leeds United.
The West Yorkshire outfit are on the lookout for a new manager following Monday's dismissal of Jesse Marsch, who spent less than a year in the Elland Road dugout.
A host of names have since been linked with the vacancy including former Leeds coach Carlos Corberan, but the West Bromwich Albion boss has signed a new long-term contract to stay with the Championship club.
Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola is believed to be admired by Leeds sporting director Victor Orta, but recent reports claim that the La Liga club have blocked the Whites from pursuing the 40-year-old.
Elsewhere, Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has emerged as a potential contender, but the Dutchman confirmed at a pre-match press conference on Friday that he "will stay" with the Eredivisie club.
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According to journalist Claudio Mauri, Pochettino and former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo are two more managers who have rejected the chance to join Leeds.
Gallardo has been linked with a host of clubs since ending his successful seven-and-a-half-year spell with River Plate in December last year, but Mauri claims that the 47-year-old Argentine has no intention of returning to management until June.
Meanwhile, compatriot Pochettino has been out of work since he was sacked by PSG last summer, despite leading the Parisian giants to the 2021-22 Ligue 1 title.
Prior to his 18-month spell with PSG, Pochettino managed for almost six years in England with Southampton and Tottenham, leading the latter to a second-placed finish in the 2016-17 Premier League season before reaching the Champions League final in May 2019.
Earlier this season, it was reported that Pochettino is keen to return to the Premier League, where he won 132, drew 61 and lost 63 of his 256 games as a manager with the Saints and Spurs.
However, Leeds' ambitions swoop for the Argentine appears to have been unsuccessful, and their search for Marsch's successor goes on.
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It is understood that Pochettino would be interested in replacing Graham Potter at Chelsea, though, should the Englishman be sacked.
Pochettino is also said to be open to international management, and revealed in December that he "open to everything" when asked about potentially succeeding Gareth Southgate as England boss.
"Of course, my relationship with England has always been very good. We have a very good relationship with the academies, trying to develop young players for the national team," Pochettino told The Athletic. "I feel so comfortable here. You never know what happens. I am open to everything."
Leeds are now set to turn their focus to other targets, with the likes of Celtic's Ange Postecoglou and Al-Ittihad's Nuno Espirito Santo – formerly of Spurs and Wolverhampton Wanderers – believed to be on their radar.
Coaching trio Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas were placed in temporary charge for Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United and they will be in the dugout again on Sunday when Leeds welcome the Red Devils to Elland Road.
Oliver Thomas
