Pep Clotet is closing in on a return to Leeds United next month as the new manager of Oxford United, according to a reliable journalist.
Bookmakers slashed the odds earlier this week on the Elland Road assistant manager being appointed by the League One club and the Sun reported that Clotet is the favourite for the post and could be appointed next week.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay reported on his personal Twitter account on Friday evening that there is a “good chance” the Spaniard, 40, will land the Oxford job and be back at Leeds at the end of July for a pre-season friendly between the two clubs.
Good chance that Pep Clotet will be back at Elland Road on July 29. In line for the manager’s job at Oxford United. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) June 30, 2017
Clotet, who was the number two to former manager Garry Monk last season, is out of contract at Leeds today (Friday) and sent a heartfelt message on Twitter to supporters in which he said he would “never forget this fantastic period in my life” and would be”forever grateful” to everyone at the club.
Today is my last day at @LUFC and I’ll never forget this fantastic period in my life, in which I learned lots and fully enjoyed myself. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/8bog5QD2eF
— Pep Clotet (@pepclotet) June 30, 2017
I’ll be forever grateful to everyone at Leeds for the affection and support they offered me right from day one. 2/2
— Pep Clotet (@pepclotet) June 30, 2017
Clotet was not considered for the manager’s role at Elland Road in the wake of Monk’s departure and the Spaniard has already confirmed on Twitter that he is seeking a new challenge in his career, but that he will not be heading to join his friend at Middlesbrough.
New manager Thomas Christiansen has recruited an all-Spanish backroom staff, while two of Monk’s former assistants at Leeds, James Beattie and Darryl Flahavan, have linked up with him at the Riverside Stadium.
Now Clotet is being heavily linked with Oxford, who are seeking a replacement to Michael Appleton after he was appointed assistant manager to Craig Shakespeare at Leicester City.
Oxford finished eighth in League One last season and are set to offer their new boss a competitive budget for the division.
Coincidentally, Leeds welcome Oxford to Elland Road for their final pre-season friendly on July 29, a game that was part of the deal for bringing Kemar Roofe to the club last summer.
It appears that there may be a familiar face to the home support in the away dugout for match that will be key to Leeds’ preparations for the new Championship campaign, which begins with an away match at Bolton on 6 August.