It appears inevitable that Neil Redfearn will be named as the new manager of Leeds United, and he expects to be given time to succeed in the role.
Controversial Elland Road owner Massimo Cellino sacked the popular Brian McDermott at the end of last season, and raised eyebrows by replacing him with the relatively inexperienced Dave Hockaday. The former Forest Green Rovers manager was dismissed after just 70 days but his replacement, Darko Milanic, lasted only 32 before he was fired last week.
Redfearn, who has had caretaker spells of the first team on four separate occasions, is now widely expected to be given the job on a permanent basis. This is a position the lifelong Leeds fan is desperate to succeed in, and although he has not yet been officially appointed, the current Academy coach has revealed he has already held positive discussions with Cellino.
“I had a good chat with Massimo yesterday and we went through one or two things. It’s not that far away,” said Redfearn. “I wanted some assurances from the conversations I had, where he saw me at the club and the club going forward. He said I was the future and I wanted to know if that was still the case. He said ‘you are’. I wanted the contract to reflect certain things.
“It seems to be shorter here (a coach’s life) but you can spend the rest of your life wondering. You have to go on and make things happen and be positive. There’s no let up now. This is a massive honour. It’s a massive football club with a great tradition and the owner has a desire to make it great (again). I can see that, that’s a genuine opinion from me and if I can be part of that down the line it’s a fantastic honour. I’m capable of doing it now it’s a case of knuckling down and concentrating on the footy.
“Massimo sees me here for the long haul but it’s got to be worked at and earned and I know that as well. The bigger picture is whatever happens needs to be for the good of Leeds United. If it takes me on, great, if it doesn’t I will be back with the academy. Massimo tells me what he thinks. But I give it back to him and he wants to know. He’s strong, but we get on well.”
Is Redfearn the right man for Leeds, and will he be given sufficient time to get things right? Let us know what you think by joining in the discussion below.
