West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan has signed a new long-term contract with the club, amid links with the Leeds United vacancy.
The 39-year-old had been tipped to take the reins at Elland Road following the dismissal of Jesse Marsch on Monday.
Corberan spent three years in charge of Leeds' Under-23s and also worked as a first-team coach under Marcelo Bielsa between 2017 and 2020.
The Spaniard has since had managerial spells with Huddersfield Town and Olympiacos before replacing Steve Bruce at Championship club West Brom, where he has made an instant impact at The Hawthorns.
Indeed, Corberan has won 10 of his 13 Championship matches since taking charge in October, steering the Baggies from the prospects of relegation to sixth place and challenging for the playoffs.
Our 𝗕𝗢𝗦𝗦. 🇪🇸
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) February 7, 2023
We're delighted to announce @CarlosCorberan has signed a contract extension at The Hawthorns. ✍️
Despite the possible temptation of returning to Leeds and managing in the Premier League, Corberan has decided to commit his future to West Brom, extending his contract until 2027.
Speaking to the club's official website, Corberan said: "I have enjoyed my time at Albion, and I am pleased to have secured a contract extension. I would like to thank my staff, the players, and our fantastic supporters for their help in making my time here so positive.
"I would also like to thank [chief executive] Ron Gourlay for continuing to show faith in me as a coach. I believe that success can only be achieved when everyone works together and the way I have been made to feel welcome at this great club has made me confident that this is the right place for me.
"It is important to me that we do not let this moment distract us from our target, which is to ensure we improve every day, making the team more and more competitive for the challenges ahead.
"My focus is always on earning a positive result in our next game and we are working hard to achieve that at Birmingham City on Friday night."
© Reuters
Leeds will now continue their search to find a successor to Marsch, who has left the Whites sitting 17th in the Premier League table and just above the relegation zone on goal difference, following a seven-game winless run.
Corberan had been the bookmakers' favourite to replace Marsch, but after penning fresh terms with West Brom, Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has emerged as the new frontrunner for the Elland Road vacancy.
Slot, 44, has spent the last 18 months with Feyenoord who currently sit at the summit of the Eredivisie table, two points clear of his former club AZ Alkmaar in second and three clear of Ajax in third.
Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano head coach Andoni Iraola is believed to be admired by Leeds sporting director Victor Orta, with the 40-year-old having steered the Spanish outfit to fifth place in La Liga and within three points of the Champions League positions.
A potential move for one of Mauricio Pochettino, Ralph Hasenhuttl or Steven Gerrard – who have all previously managed in the Premier League – has been mooted, while Celtic's Ange Postecoglou and Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen have also been linked with the Leeds vacancy.
Leeds have placed coaching trio Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas in charge for Wednesday's Premier League fixture away at Manchester United, and the Whites intend to update the club's supporters on their search for a new boss "throughout the coming days".
Oliver Thomas
