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Leeds United: It’s looking like Redfearn will get Whites shot - Matteo
SUCCESSFUL: Simon Grayson.
When Leeds United sacked Simon Grayson last week I assumed that someone would be in the wings, ready to fill his shoes.
I’m not suggesting the club should have schemed behind his back, but it’s only natural to think about your next move before you wield the axe. Simon’s sacking was hardly a surprise and in many ways it had been coming for the best part of a month.
But, to judge by the noises from Elland Road, I really don’t think there was a fixed idea about who might replace him as and when the time came. The job seems to be wide open and very much up for grabs.
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That surprises me because I genuinely thought we’d see some urgency after Simon left. Part of me expected his replacement to be named in a matter of days, and when I read the statement put out last Wednesday it was obvious that the club wanted a change at the top to inspire a run to the play-offs. A quick appointment looked guaranteed and fairly essential.
Eight days on, we’re still waiting for news on exactly what is going to happen. That suggests to me that Leeds are seriously considering giving Neil Redfearn the job until the end of the season. It’s only a hunch on my part but I’m sure we’d have seen more progress in the search for a new manager if Redfearn’s chances were zero. You don’t leave your club in the hands of a caretaker for any longer than necessary.
What would the fans make of a decision to appoint Redfearn in the longer-term? I’m honestly not sure about that. Those I speak to seem to be expecting (or hoping) for a big name to come in and take the club forward. The usual suspects have been mentioned to me – Neil Warnock more often than most – and I don’t think many people thought that Redfearn could be the man to step in.
Whatever you think about Grayson, the club have sacked a boss with a very good record and proven success in management. I imagined that his replacement would have the same attributes.
None of this is meant as a criticism of Redfearn. He comes across as a decent bloke and is, by all accounts, a very talented coach. It sounds like the under-18s he trains at Thorp Arch have been punching above their weight against good opposition and it’s obvious that the senior players like him. From listening to their comments in the last week or so, I’m pretty sure they’d be able to work under him without a problem.
But you have to ask whether it would be right to turn to Redfearn with things as they are. More to the point, would it be fair on him? Coaches jump at the opportunity to manage Leeds United, but this is such a difficult time for any boss to be taking over.
The atmosphere around the club is volatile at the moment and the supporters seem so frustrated by the current situation at Elland Road. They don’t seem in the mood to cut anyone any slack and as much as they won’t blame Neil for the way this season has gone I don’t think his appointment would appease them either. He’d be under as much pressure as anyone.
Ability
Obviously that’s not a reason to rule him out. If Leeds think he’s genuinely up to the job then he deserves to be considered and he’ll have another chance to prove himself against Brighton on Saturday. But my personal view is that Leeds need one of two things – either an experienced manager in the Warnock mould, who’s been there and done it, or a young, up-and-coming boss who’s shown great potential at another club.
Lads like Karl Robinson and Lee Clark might not necessarily excite the fans, and they wouldn’t necessarily be my choice, but you look at them and see managerial ability backed up by a couple of years in the job. Coming to Elland Road would be a big step up for them, but they’d fancy their chances of coping with it. The gamble involved would be a calculated one.
The truth is that any manager who takes charge of Leeds United faces massive pressure and expectation every day of the week. Dennis Wise and Gary McAllister found that out, and Simon came through some difficult periods during his three years in charge.
It must be lonely and extremely stressful at times. You don’t get any leeway and there’s constant attention on results and performances. Managing Leeds is a full-time job in every sense and it’s definitely not for everyone.
But I still wonder if Redfearn might be the club’s preferred option. He’s highly rated at Elland Road and he seems to have a good relationship with the chairman, Ken Bates. And, deep down, something tells me that if Leeds wanted to bring in a completely new broom, they’d have done it at the start of the transfer window rather than waiting until the end of it.
You saw that happen with Mark Hughes at Queens Park Rangers – appointed in time to sign new players and implement new ideas. The Football League’s emergency loan window is open now but given that the next Leeds boss will basically work with what’s here already, it might be that the club think Redfearn’s as well placed as anyone to do that.
He’s familiar with Leeds United and he’s familiar with the squad. He’ll also be aware of what the mood’s like in Leeds so he’d be going into the job with his eyes wide open. And if results go well under him, people will be happy. That’s the way football works.
But despite everything that’s gone on, there’s still a chance of Leeds reaching the play-offs – a real chance. That’s why this decision was such a big one. I’d have liked to have seen it dealt with straight away and I just hope the club’s approach pays off. For the sake of the fans, they can’t afford to let the rest of this season drift away.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 17 comments to this article
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LeedsBulldog
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:21 PM16 doorjimmy Hey Jimmy - just do what i do = " im just nipping out for a paper love" - works a dream mate! 15blackpoolwhite Exactly right as per usual mate - but weve been "given" redfearn to rule the roost and once again we have no choice - not with the 'snake with a beard' running our gaff' - time will tell on Redfearn BUT i think a fresh face was needed at the helm but good luck on saturday Neil us leeds fans will be watching you -to see if the team plays with more determination - the only problem for you neil is - so will the snake with a beard. roll on saturday! MOT 4 EVA WHEREVER WHENEVER WHATEVER!!
doorjimmy
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 07:49 PMi just hope all the people who post on here make it to the game on saturday,and get behind neil redfern and the team.as a season ticket holder i must admit this is the first game i've been looking forward to in quite a while.what else can we do on a saturday afternoon,go shopping wi the missus or go to leeds.mmmm it's a tough one
B/pool white
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 07:44 PMPeople, do you REALLY think you have witnessed a thought out tactically smart move by a motivated chairman hell bent on getting his club promoted? Ofcourse not,he just does'nt want to go up yet for some reason............its obvious.A driven chairman and club like Dom said would have sorted it all out by now,knowing that a catalogue of appointing inexperienced managers has not worked. They need time, something we have not got. If he meant business we would be have welcomed an Antic or a Warnock, better still he would have got rid of SG before January to give them a real chance. No offence to NR but whatever the players say the last thing we need is someone THEY want - I know lets let the players choose!! No SERIOUS clubs with SERIOUS ambition mess about like this, its laughable and embarrasing. Bates SHOULD be ashamed of how he handles every single episode at the club.May devine retribution be bestowed upon him SOON
RobertMetcalfe
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 06:12 PMLeave all the ranting outside the ground on Saturday - support our team and we'll easily get to the play-offs. I've said it all season and I still believe it!!! MOT
phils7
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 03:33 PMREDFEARN IS NOT THE ANSWER AND GIVIVNG HIM 3 EASY GAMES IS NOT GOING TO MAKE HIM A GOOD MANAGER. WE NEED EXPERIENCE IN WARNOCK WHO WOULD GET THE SAME RESULTS IN THOSE 3 GAMES BUT IT WOULD GALVENIZE THE TEAM AND GET THEM PREPARED FOR THE TOUGH MARCH WE HAVE COMING SO WE STOOD A CHANCE OF GETTING IN THE PLAY OFFS. IF KEN BASES HIS DECISION ON THOSE 3 RESULTS THEN HE IS BEING VERY NAIVE AS THE NEXT SET OF FIXTURES WILL SURLY PROVE, THEN WERE WILL WE BE! THE SEASON WILL DWINDLE INTO NOTHING AND WE WOULD HAVE TO START AGAIN IN THE SUMMER WITH ANOTHER NEW MANAGER POINTLESS. AND WE DEFINATLEY DONT WONT HILL FROM BARNSLEY!!!
Mark Hull
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:50 PMWarnock will be our next manager in a months time he just needs to sort out his severance package with QPR before taking on the role, he's already met with Bates.
northeastcorner
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:37 PMDom - that's a pretty fair and well balanced assessment. And like you say there is still a good chance of LUFC making the play-off. So the sticking plaster solution may work - that is, if the wound is not too deep. Too deep and it would have been better to use stitches straight away. Only time will tell. Meanwhile massive support is needed for NR and the lads. MOT
sja
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:29 PMI must admit I thought the same thing when Grayson was sacked - that a replacement had already been identified. The statement from the club also suggested a sense of urgency. However it's no surprise really that LUFC are content to let things drift - that's what they do! Look at the situation with players contracts. The one thing Grayson and his coaches clearly couldn't do is organise our defenders to defend properly on a consistent basis.. That was his major downfall. So if Redfearn can do this he's got to be in the frame. The rest will fall into place. He's also cheap and won't rock the boat with Bates. I can see him being given to the end of the season if he gets a few results. If he gets Leeds up Bates can say what a fantastic move it was by the club. If he doesn't Bates will no doubt say he was just a stop-gap.
woodwhite
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:28 PMNo strategy or plan that's the way Bates and Harvey do things when it comes to the playing side at ER.These two are too consumed with the commercial side and are happy to plod along for next few seasons in champship on loanees , freebies and now an unproven acadamy manger.Is it any wonder the fans are up in arms!
onemexican
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:10 PMdinothefish...I thought that as well.......
MARTY66
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:02 PMDom you were right about the training ground being like butlins under SG., it all became too comfy and it showed on the field. I agree we need a big name to appease the fans but those same fans are more than willing to give Redders a chance over a few games, if it goes well allbeit against lower teams, where I might add we have come unstuck on a number of accasions ( Barnsley springs to mind) Lets just get behind the team and lets see where it takes us. Because I think that KB is finally starting to realise that the fans of this club won't roll over and accept any old bulls**t anymore, I personally think that Redders will be left in charge for the rest of the season and if we don't go up or close a new manager will come in. Watch this space..........................
Liam123
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:35 PMIt is no surprise to me that bates would sack his manager with no replacement lined up, that is how the club operates nowadays, on a wing and a prayer. It was the same in the summer, releasing Higgs selling schmeicel, then realising we do actually need a keeper. Same selling gradel on transfer deadline day and having no time to get anyone in. Same in January selling the captain having no replacement lined up. Redfearn has got his chance and only time will tell, he has to go unbeaten in this run and take it from there, good luck to him. I don't fancy his chances next season though, and I am not looking forward to the inevitable exodus in the summer.
Moronicmayhem
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:29 PMNeil was offered the opportunity to bring a coach in to help him but he turned the option down deciding to get help from the senior pros. Dom its always good to read your articles but your sitting on the fence Leeds need and experienced manager like Warnock or a young manager like Robinson Clark . Looks to me like your just agreeing with the fans that post comments on here . Which is understandable because if you said something the fans on here didnt like you would be called a Bates mouth piece Lapdog .
Tare
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:22 PMI have no qualms bout Neil. He has his coaching badges in place and ready to roll. So please get behind him and the Whites.Show him the faith which is all needed for anyone of us when we are promoted in any business. I have read some moaning that "he is only academy coach" etc. Hell he has all the motivation to show his credentials, hasn't he? Tare 100% support for Neil.
charlieleeds
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:19 PMPending Moderation
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