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Will Manager Number 7 Please Step Forward?

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Leeds United are searching for their seventh manager in four years after pulling the trigger on Thomas Christiansen after just eight months in charge at Elland Road, following a poor seven match winless streak since Boxing Day.

The 44-year-old Danish manager struggled to find consistency during his time with the Yorkshire giants, starting off well but then experiencing a poor run during October and November, where his side tasted defeat seven times in nine matches, before the poor form that has occurred since the festive season.

Whoever takes charge of Leeds now has a huge task ahead of them, inheriting a talented side full of expectation as they look to bring an end to their long wait to return to the Premier League, but taking a team that has plenty of work to do.

Arguably the most difficult job outside of the Premier League, Leeds need a long-term manager who can provide success and progression, which makes these three options ideal men to target.

Jaap Stam

The latest reports suggest that Reading boss Jaap Stam may be out of the running for the vacancy at Elland Road but Leeds need to consider the former Dutch international, as he has shown the signs of progression that Leeds are looking for.

45-year-old Stam is under fire at Reading following just one win in the last five Championship matches, with the Royals hovering just six points above the relegation zone. However, the side he inherited needs a lot of work and support.

At his age, Stam can be a long-term manager at Elland Road and he`s already experienced enough in the Championship to provide an impact. Of those linked with a move to Leeds, which includes former Sunderland boss Simon Grayson and Barnsley`s Paul Heckingbottom, Stam would certainly be the better choice.

Marco Silva

Seemingly the most coveted man in football towards the back end of last year, things didn`t quite work out for Marco Silva at Watford as it started to all fall apart after Everton`s approach- something that was mentioned in the official statement issued after his departure.

Impressing with Watford in the first half of the season and catching the eye with Hull City last term, Marco Silva is a manager on the rise but he needs a project rather than a quick fix- which is why Leeds is the perfect fit for the Spaniard.

Silva got the best out of the players at his disposal during his time at Vicarage Road and also impressed in the transfer market, where the capture of Richarlison from South America is arguably one of the signings of the season.

Slaven Bilic

Another ex-Premier League manager that Leeds need to consider is former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, who led the side valiantly during the final years of their time at Upton Park but struggled following the pressure of the move to the London Stadium.

Bilic, like Marco Silva, is in need of a project and Leeds are the sort of side he can revitalise in the coming years, with significantly reduced pressure in the market- where it seemed that he was forced to spend heavily to prove West Ham`s financial capabilities.

That certainly wouldn`t be the case at Elland Road, where transfers are scrutinised more carefully, and Bilic`s passionate approach would suit the Leeds fans very well – and it`s the sort of job where the Croatian boss can rekindle the impressive signs he showed during the early spells of his tenure in East London.

Who would you like to see us target as the next man through our ever rotating doors?

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