Spanish press provide major update on Leeds interest in 54-year-old reportedly earmarked as Bielsa successor

Speculation involving the Whites and the 54-year-old first emerged over the weekend, with The Sun reporting that Elland Road chiefs are monitoring the ex-Real Madrid boss as a potential successor to current boss Marcelo Bielsa if and when the Argentine decides to call time on his stint in Yorkshire.

Both men have been named on FIFA’s five-man shortlist for their Best Men’s Coach award this year, with Lopetegui enjoying a redemptive spell in Seville.

The former goalkeeper left his job with the Spanish national side partway through the 2018 World Cup in Russia after accepting a job with Real, but struggled in the Spanish capital, and was dismissed from his new post after less than three months at the helm.

Things have been much-improved for the manager in his new role, however, and his side are currently fifth in La Liga with two games in hand on league leaders Real Sociedad, having also sealed their spot in the Champions League knockout stages last week with matches to spare.

All of that leads The Sun to suggest that he will be top of Leeds’ wish list when the time comes for Bielsa to seek pastures new, but reports on the continent are less convinced.

Monday’s print edition of Mundo Deportivo claims that Sevilla are completely unaware of any interest in Lopetegui, and the implication from their piece on the matter is that there is little truth in The Sun’s report.