Next Leeds Manager: World Cup finalist to be shunned

Alejandro Sabella has announced his interest in the Leeds job

There's a new frontrunner and an unlikely second favourite in the captivating next Leeds manager market...

Two really strange things have happened regarding the Leeds vacancy. The first was the coach who guided Argentina to the World Cup final just two months ago, Alejandro Sabella, declaring his interest, labelling the situation "intriguing" and declaring "unfinished business with that club".

The second arguably even more unusual occurrence was that the public throwing of hat into ring by such a high-profile tactician appears to have barely raised an eyebrow at Elland Road. Sabella is a distant 6.05/1 second favourite, and has never ventured below 3.0.

It is true that his World Cup experience was a strange one because, despite outperforming the likes of hosts Brazil and holders Spain, few onlookers would have picked him out as one of the managers of the tournament.

The impression was that Argentina got to the final with a combination of individual brilliance from Lionel Messi in the early rounds and sheer bloody-mindedness to persevere past Netherlands on penalties in the semi-finals, though that view undervalues their misfortune in a final in which they had the better chances.

Regardless of whether you believe that Sabella's role in the Albiceleste's World Cup progress was relatively minimal, he isn't short of coaching experience or success, leading former employers Estudiantes to a domestic title and the Copa Libertadores.

Given his brief spell at Leeds as a player in the early 1980s, owner Massimo Cellino's preference for "an international coach who I can work with" and the fact that his appointment wouldn't require a compensation payment, it seems nonsensical not to at least sound him out.

However, the 2.226/5 favourite is Darko Milanic, who achieved great results in his first few years in management back home in Slovenia but hasn't been quite so impressive since moving to Austria to take charge of Sturm Graz last summer.

The next names in the market are Steve Clarke at 7.613/2 and James Beattie at 8.27/1, with Neil Redfearn drifting to 13.5n/a despite delivering two victories and a draw in his three games as caretaker.

Cellino has stated that he doesn't intend to give Redfearn the job on a permanent basis because he is too important to the club's academy, yet if he continues to master his short-term spell and the owner remains underwhelmed by the alternatives, there is potential for that stance to soften.