Real Madrid legend Fernando Hierro has been installed the new favourite to be the next Leeds United manager – and fans of the club are not entirely impressed.
SkyBet priced the former Spain defender at 5/2 on Tuesday night to take on the vacant post, as the bookies’ odds underwent another dramatic reshuffle.
The sudden prominence of the 49-year-old in the Leeds managerial race is a considerable shock as he had not previously featured on the betting market, or been at all linked with taking the reins at Elland Road.
Hierro has leapfrogged Victor Sanchez (11/4), Alan Pardew (4/1) and Quique Sanchez Flores (5/1) in the betting, who are all a long way clear of Reading manager Jaap Stam (12/1).
Hierro has been backed in after Spanish second-tier side Real Oviedo released a statement earlier on Tuesday to confirm that he had left as manager by mutual consent.
Leeds fans on social media were not too enamoured about the prospect of such an inexperienced manager, whose side finished eighth in La Liga 2 in 2016-17, taking the reins.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
“Hierro – oeo, Hierro – oeo; he came from Real Madrid… To be the boss of Leeds… HIERRO!” next verse??? #lufc #jumpingTheGun
— Mike Lovelock (@MikeLovelock) June 13, 2017
Hierro is a gamble but look at Huddersfield and Reading, both had inexperienced managers #lufc
— Luke (@luke_hill) June 13, 2017
Fernado Hierro, not overly impressive that is it #lufc
— Robbo (@Ste_Robbo87) June 13, 2017
Fernando Hierro ffs … that’s what we’ve waited with excitement for? #lufc
— Dean (@DeanoPortsLUFC) June 13, 2017
Why is Fernando Hierro the new favourite for the @LUFC job ???????????. What a joke #LUFC
— James Glasspoole (@JamesGlasspoole) June 13, 2017
Given Fernando Hierro departure from Oviedo today by mutual consent and links with IB I guess he will be #LUFC new coach with PC assisting
— MCC1 (@1amcc) June 13, 2017
I’ve been following Fernando Hierro’s management career for several minutes now and am convinced he is the man to lead us to the CL #lufc
— Batesy (@BatesyLufc) June 13, 2017
@andrearadri
Hierro and Sanchez ….NO! Proven manager in England please let’s not go backwards #lufc— Noely Daniels (@noel33330) June 13, 2017
Fernando Hierro ? This is getting silly now ! #lufc
— Ian Taylor (@RupertTrousers) June 13, 2017
The Spaniard has held just two coaching roles since hanging up his boots in 2005, first serving as assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and then taking over at Real Oviedo last year.
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani revealed last week that the club had begun interviewing candidates for the vacant post.