Sponsored by
Bristol City v Leeds United: Caretaker boss Redfearn buoyant ahead Robins clash
Neil Redfearn takes Leeds United training. Picture: Andrew Varley
Leeds United caretaker Neil Redfearn declared himself “capable” of handling the position and ready to prove his worth as speculation about the club’s next manager continued to rage.
Redfearn will take temporary charge of United’s senior squad at Bristol City tomorrow with the search for Simon Grayson’s successor now expected to run into next week.
Redfearn, however, has been given the chance to make an impression tomorrow after assuming control of Leeds in the 48 hours since Grayson’s departure.
United’s reserve and under-18s coach has been part of the coaching staff at Thorp Arch since 2009 and has prior experience in management with Halifax Town, Scarborough and York City.
“It’s all happened quickly and it’s all a bit raw,” Redfearn said. “I’m only focused on tomorrow.
“But I have to say I’ve enjoyed myself immensely at Leeds United so I’m not putting myself under pressure either way. I’m in this position now, I’ve got a lot of friends at this club who I want to help in the short-term, and if I can get some results and that benefits (me) then great.
“I’m capable, that goes without saying, but the bottom line is that the decision’s up to the club. It’s out of my hands and from my point of view I’m more interested in tomorrow’s game. Whatever happens, I’ll take in my stride.”
Redfearn was added to United’s academy staff shortly after Grayson became manager, and he was given the responsibility for managing the club’s reserves following the sacking of ex-academy manager Neil Thompson 15 months ago.
The 46-year-old said he would avoid “wholesale changes” at Ashton Gate but he stressed the importance of securing a result after the 4-1 defeat to Birmingham City on Tuesday night which sealed Grayson’s fate.
Leeds are four points outside the Championship’s play-off places with 18 games to play.
Redfearn said: “I’ve been here for the three years that Simon’s been here and he’s done a terrific job. You can’t look at it any other way.
“It’s a sad day but from my point of view I’ve been handed the caretaker job for the time being and it’s important that we put a side together who can get a result at Bristol City.
“What matters is how you react and pick up the pieces and we’ve got a big game now. I’ve got to focus on that and make sure the lads are ready.
“It’s difficult for them because it gets dropped on them too, and they’ve got new ideas and a new voice. But they’ve trained hard and all I’ve worked on is getting them focused. I’m not going to make wholesale changes but I need to get them comfortable with what we’re doing.”
Defender Andy O’Brien trained with Leeds yesterday for the first time in two-and-a-half months but is unlikely to feature tomorrow due to a lack of match fitness.
The 32-year-old was treated for depression following a fall-out with Grayson in November but he was welcomed him back into the fold after Leeds moved to resolve the dispute.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
buckstonewhites16
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:42 PMWhat a load of tosh - look how low we have sunk! Redfearn isn't in charge - Gwyn Williams calls all the shots! Another of the Chelsea Mafia infecting Leeds United! Bates is rocking because his revenue has gone down! Sacking Simon Grayson was the act of man desperate to get the fans excited again - however the problem for the fans is him (Bates)! Bates Out - let's be united again (and that isn't going to happen until "Honest Ken" has gone)!
OzTyke
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:57 PMGood luck to the boys at Bristol, and to Neil Redfearn. MOT
horseoutside
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 09:23 PMRedfearn should have the job till the summer. He knows all the youth set up and other players through handling the reserves. He has been doing a good job with the club so far, and he's been round the block as a player. We shall find out soon enough if he has the bottle to lead the club to the promised land.
Idlewhite
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 04:02 PMHope the team will be fired up for the game and do justice for Leeds United and all the best for acting manager Neil Redfern I hope he is half as good as his dad Brian who was a decent left winger for Bradford PA.
mis
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 02:53 PMplease please please leeds players. do yourself justice & play well. good luck neil!!
steven742
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 02:44 PMif neil can produce then give it to him until the summer, then take things from there.
maidonian
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 01:41 PMThere is one surefire way that Neil Redfearn can get the job on a permanent basis - agree a pay cut with Bates! All the best for tomorrow Neil.
sunsetoneuk
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:45 AMLeeds players. The fans expect a positive reaction tomorrow. Please do not let us or Neil down. Good luck.
bramley whites
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:29 AMCome on leeds fresh start for all you players to come back and fight for your places ! good luck reders ! can we please stop talking about ex players and management its history ! if grayson hadnt lost the dressing he might still have been at leeds but he had so see ya grayson ! win percentage or not he as gone no to despise wise no paul winse no bent nose bruce dont get the fans straight back on your back bates choose carefully ! im glad you got rid of grayson so please once again think long and hard who to bring in !!! leeds leeds leeds mot
Reviesboys
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:27 AMI know someone at the ground and he said it will be touch and go tomorrow as they have no under soil heating and the pitch is just covered
GaryBrown
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:41 AMTime for the players to step up, they need to start earning their money they are able but did not have the focus under Grayson. Move on Leeds we are bigger than any minor setback. Bleed White when you go over the line thats all the fans ask of you. Go Leeds.
armchairtd
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:37 AMBest of British NR, your at the helm now, get stuck into the squad and lets get the 3 points at Bristol! A fresh start and new beginnings, I for one, call on all genuine supporters to get behind the Caretaker boss, and the team, and forget about the chairman, he's not worth the effort!!!
AllWhiteNow
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:30 AMGo for it Neil - we'll be there with full support as usual. There's no reason why we shouldn't use this match to look firmly ahead and show what this squad can do - focus on football and give nothing away. Clean sheet please!! 2-0 Leeds
drizzlybear
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:04 AMgood luck neil. lets batter bristol!
Determination Personified
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 09:37 AM"Leeds United caretaker Neil Redfearn" ... I think the hinge on the shed door needs replacing Neil.
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.