Claudio Ranieri’s agent has quashed rumours that his client could take over as the new Leeds United manager.
The Italian, 65, has been strongly linked as a main contender to take the reins at Elland Road following Garry Monk’s shock resignation 13 days ago.
ESPN FC reported that new United owner Andrea Radrizzani is keen to recruit an experienced, high-profile manager who is capable of leading the club back to the Premier League.
But Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay has been told by Ranieri’s representative Steve Kutner that the veteran manager is not in the running to take over at Elland Road.
Kutner was quoted by Hay on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday as saying “there’s no truth to the rumours” that the former Leicester City manager is a firm contender.
In response to suggestions that Ranieri is in the running for the Leeds job, his agent Steve Kutner says there’s “no truth to the rumours”.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) June 7, 2017
Radrizzani revealed on Twitter on Tuesday evening that Leeds will begin interviewing candidates this week for the vacant managerial position.
It appears that Ranieri will not be one of those holding talks even though he is out of work since being sacked by Leicester in February of this year.
The Italian, who has managed Chelsea and Inter Milan, has an impressive track record that culminated in his career high point of steering Leicester to their extraordinary Premier League success last season.
He has won four league titles during his 29-year managerial career, including Serie C at Cagliari, Serie B at Fiorentina and Ligue 2 at Monaco.
The Yorkshire giants announced Monk’s resignation on their official website after he turned down the club’s offer of a 12-month contract.
Under Monk’s leadership, Leeds finished seventh in the recently-completed Championship campaign after a final-month collapse meant they missed the play-offs by five points.