Neil Redfearn looks certain to be sacked by Leeds United, after Massimo Cellino gave an extraordinary interview in which he criticised his head coach.
Redfearn was promoted to look after first team affairs in October following the ill-fated spells of Dave Hockaday and Darko Milanic, and he has established himself as a popular figure both amongst the staff and supporters of the club after leading them to a 15th place finish in the Championship when it looked as though the Whites could be dragged into a bitter relegation fight.
A decision to extend the contract of the 49-year-old would likely be well received, but his current deal expires at the end of next month and there has been little progress on this front. And after Elland Road owner Cellino delivered an extraordinary interview to the Sunday Mirror at the weekend, it looks all but certain that the Yorkshire club will soon be looking for a new head coach.
“He tried to play the fans against me to keep his place. Do you think that Neil Redfearn loves Leeds more than me?” said the controversial Italian, who returned to the club’s board earlier this month after passing the Football League Owners and Directors test. “Tell me why I am in Leeds, why am I so involved with the club? Why am I putting in a lot of money, killing myself?
“I fell in love with this club. But to love this club is to do something for this club. Neil Redfearn does the (Leeds United fans’) salute. He challenged me. If you are good I can accept the challenge. But not if you are a bad coach. He has to respect the chairman. He’s like a baby. He’s been badly advised and used by someone. He is not a bad person but he has a weak personality.”
If, as seems likely, Redfearn will not be given the chance to lead Leeds into the new season, then Mark Warburton is thought to be high on the list of potential successors. The 52-year-old has won many admirers this term after leading Brentford into the Championship playoffs, where they lost to Middlesbrough, but he will become a free agent this summer.
Is it now clear that Neil Redfearn will not be offered a new contract at Leeds United, and who do you think is the ideal man to replace him at the helm?
