Leeds United have announced that Michael Skubala will remain in charge on an interim basis until further notice.
The Whites under-21s coach was always the lead candidate for the role after taking charge of the side following Jesse Marsch’s dismissal.
He will continue working with development coach Paco Gallardo and assistant coach Chris Armas.
The trio oversaw the 2-2 draw with Manchester United before Leeds suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of their bitter rivals a few days later.
The Elland Road club were interested in Al-Ittihad manager Nuno Espirito Santo, but hiring him would have cost them €6 million, reports the Times.
The Whites did not offer the Portuguese the job despite holding talks with him. They would have had to pay the Saudi Arabia club a hefty compensation if they went for the former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss.
Leeds also spoke with Al-Gharafa manager Pedro Martins this week. The 52-year-old Portuguese won three Super League Greece titles with Olympiacos before moving to the Qatar club last November.
Allowing Skubala to remain in charge until June would allow Leeds another chance to go after one of their top targets.
They failed in their attempts to get Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola, West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Corberan and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot.
Iraola will be a free agent in the summer and Leeds could return for him. However, they will have to hold on to their Premier League status for that to happen.
Some other top managers could also be available by then, giving the Whites several options to choose from.
Skubala could also put himself in the frame for the job if he surpasses the expectations of the Leeds board.
