The speculation about the next Leeds boss goes on, but reliable news is as hard to find as Theresa May at a TV party leaders debate.

At the start of the week it seemed that Aitor Karanka was the most likely candidate to be our next head coach, with rumours that he’d actually been to Elland Road for an interview. We yawned at the prospect of the dull football he would probably bring, but consoled ourselves with the thought that he did at least guide Middlesbrough to promotion the season before last.

But this morning the Yorkshire Post put a stop to all that, saying they ‘understand’ that Karanka is not currently being considered. The speculation then moved onto Claudio Ranieri, another man who enjoyed a successful 2015/16 before a sharp reversal of fortune in the Premiership season that followed.

But Ranieri said “I don’t know anything about this Leeds story, I haven’t spoken to them.” And when asked if he might be interested in Leeds he replied “I prefer not to speculate.” So is doesn’t sound likely he’ll be our next boss, although that answer doesn’t entirely rule out the possibility. Unlike two others who the YEP say are definitely not coming to Leeds, in the shape of Simon Grayson and Michael Laudrup, both of whom are already employed by other clubs.

After that Pep Clotet started to emerge as the latest favourite, at least according to the odds quoted on Sky Bet. At lunchtime he was down to 4/7, which might suggest that somebody knows something, but in the afternoon he tweeted that he was busy enjoying his holiday in Italy, so clearly he won’t be appointed this week.

But at least we do that Clotet is still employed by the club despite Garry Monk’s departure (as is James Beattie). His previous experience as a number one consists of two clubs in Sweden, but if he’s interested he would be a relatively cheap and straightforward appointment, and as Monk’s assistant he played his part in the successful season we almost had.

So we don’t seem to be any closer to finding out who will take us forward into 2017/18. It could be that Andrea Radrizzani is taking his time to make sure he makes the right appointment, rather than rushing headlong into a decision like his predecessor would have done.

But let’s hope we do get a hew manager/head coach sooner rather than later, as we need someone in place to get the players he needs in the transfer window and plan for our pre-season training. Over to you, Andrea.

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