Leeds United interim boss Michael Skumbala says work is well underway to find a replacement for Jesse Marsh.
Under-21 boss Skumbala previewed Wednesday’s Premier League game at Manchester United after March was sacked on Monday after less than a year in the role.
Leeds are understood to have had a shortlist and interviews have already begun at Elland Road for the club’s 13th manager in less than 10 years.
Rayo Vallecano manager Antoni Iraola, 40, is among the candidates Leeds want to talk to, along with West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, who worked under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.
Skubala said: “This is temporary, I will go back to my old role when it is done. Once I get past this first game. What will happen between tomorrow and Sunday remains to be seen.
Interim Leeds boss Michael Skumbala, who will take charge against Manchester United, has confirmed that work is on track to find a new manager.
Carlos Corberan emerged as a candidate to replace Jesse Marsch (right), who was fired on Monday
“I’ve seen a lot of changes, so it’s important to stay calm. He’s been busy, but it’s a good challenge. The owners are working very hard behind the scenes to find the solution.’
Skubala was director of football at Loughborough University and then worked at the FA, culminating as England U-18 manager, before being appointed to the Under 21 role at Thorp Arch last July.
He will be joined by development coach Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas, who was appointed as Marsh’s assistant at the end of last month, at Old Trafford tomorrow.
Armas will return to Old Trafford, where he worked as Ralf Rangnick’s assistant until the end of last season when Erik ten Haag took over.
Marsh was sacked after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest left Leeds in 17th place, outside the bottom three on goal difference.
Skubala said: “Yesterday, (director of football) Victor (Orta), (chief executive) Angus (Kinnear) and the board came to see Jesse.
“It was a conversation that needed to be had and after that they pulled me and a few staff members in to talk about how we’re going to get through this period.
“We had meetings and came up with a plan that we thought was the best thing to do.”
Rayo Vallecano manager Antoni Iraola is another potential candidate for the Leeds job
Corberan remains the bookmakers’ favorite to succeed Marsch – the Spaniard has guided West Brom from 23rd to sixth in the Championship since arriving in October – while Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou and Mauricio Pochettino are high on the shortlist .
Meanwhile, Iraola’s reputation has grown in LaLiga during his two-and-a-half years in charge of unfashionable Vallecano, which he guided to fifth in the table.
Leeds, without a league win since November 5, face Manchester United twice in five days, with the return leg at Elland Road on Sunday.
Club-record signing Georginio Rutter and another January arrival, USA midfielder Weston McKenney, are hoping to make their first league start.
Skubala said several unnamed players had knocks and will be assessed, while Rodrigo (ankle/shin), Adam Forshaw (hip) and Stuart Dallas (broken femur) remain long-term absentees.
“I think it’s every manager’s dream,” Skubala said of his pending role at Old Trafford. “I will be ready for it as much as the other players and the coaching staff. It’s very exciting.
“We have a good group of staff. We have 24 hours. We have a session this afternoon that we have prepared.
“I think there might be some minor tweaks and differences, but we have to make sure the players understand the game plan. We cannot be passive, but we must be pragmatic.’