Leeds United: Cellino plays down Hasselbaink link

Massimo Cellino has played down claims that he wants Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to be Leeds United’s next head coach, dismissing the link as “just more talk.”
Jimmy Floyd HasselbainkJimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Hasselbaink’s agent told the YEP yesterday that United had expressed an interest in taking the Dutchman to Elland Road this summer on the back of his successful spell as manager of Burton Albion.

Burton have already secured promotion from League Two and will claim the title if they win their final game of the season against Cambridge United on Saturday.

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Hasselbaink, the former Leeds striker, took up the job midway through this season after Burton’s former boss, Gary Rowett, left to take charge of Birmingham City.

He is being strongly touted for the head coach’s post at Elland Road, though that position is currently held by Neil Redfearn.

Redfearn’s contract ends after this weekend’s clash with Rotherham United and he and Cellino are yet to discuss his future.

Cellino, who is banned by the Football League from influencing affairs at Leeds until next week, refused to comment on Redfearn’s situation but moved to distance United from the Hasselbaink rumour.

“It’s just more talk,” Cellino said. “Forget it.”

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Hasselbaink’s agent, Humphrey Nijman, appeared to indicate that a switch to Elland Road this summer was a possibility, claiming Leeds had been in touch about Hasselbaink’s availability.

“They (Leeds) have showed interest, but there is nothing decided yet,” Nijman said. “That is all I can say about it.”