Michael Skubala says he’s excited and never overwhelmed after being requested to increase his function as interim supervisor at Leeds.
The West Yorkshire membership are nonetheless on the hunt for a everlasting substitute for Jesse Marsch after they sacked the American 10 days in the past.
Leeds Under-21s boss Skubala was initially put in place for the 2 Premier League video games in 5 days in opposition to Manchester United, however after a sequence of setbacks of their search, the membership have requested him to remain longer within the function.
The former England Under-18s coach, who has additionally hung out as the pinnacle coach of England’s futsal staff, mentioned: “I didn’t expect to be here, that’s honest, but I’ve been coaching for many years in the background and in different ways.
“Overwhelming? I don’t think so, I’m ok. I’ve got a great support network around me with the staff, the board and the club itself and for me the fans have been brilliant as well.
“Hopefully they can see I’m just trying to do the best job I can do, so I wouldn’t say overwhelming, I’d say exciting really.”
Leeds have did not make a swift appointment after Marsch’s exit, with Carlos Corberan, Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola all dominated out of the working, whereas a doable short-term substitute, Alfred Schreuder, is not an possibility.
The Whites are some extent above third-from-bottom Everton and the 2 sides face one another at Goodison Park on Saturday in what might show to be a key fixture within the relegation battle.
Skubala described Saturday’s recreation as “huge”, however feels there may be nonetheless sufficient time for Leeds to maneuver away from the underside three.
He mentioned: “It’s an opportunity for three points, that’s all I’m focused on, Everton, and if we do well I’ll be focused on the next game.
“There’s still a lot of games to go, we need to pick up points, but there’s a lot of games. We’re excited to try and get three points. That’s the most important thing.
“I’ve enjoyed the challenge. I love working with top players and sorting a game plan for top opposition.”
Leeds are scheduled to play backside membership Southampton per week on Saturday, however not face the prospect of going up in opposition to Marsch, who had been favorite to switch Nathan Jones on the south-coast membership earlier than talks broke down.
Skubala will monitor injured trio skipper Liam Cooper, Marc Roca and Luis Sinisterra earlier than Saturday’s recreation, whereas Pascal Struijk is more likely to be in rivalry after recovering from concussion.
Meanwhile, Leeds have exercised an possibility to increase Luke Ayling’s contract till the summer season of 2024.
The 31-year-old vice-captain, who has made 237 appearances in all competitions since arriving on the membership from Bristol City in 2016, would have been out of contract on the finish of this season.