Leeds United set to announce Neil Redfearn as new manager

Leeds United (now 4/1 with Coral to be relegated) are believed to be ready to appoint former youth coach Neil Redfearn as the Yorkshire club’s new manager, following the abrupt sacking of Darko Milanic and his staff.

Milanic had been in the Elland Road hotseat for just 32 days, 12 days fewer than Brian Clough’s infamous tenure, but became the second managerial casualty of Massimo Cellino’s itchy trigger finger this term, after overseeing a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The controversial Italian owner had already ruffled feathers in West Yorkshire after dismissing Dave Hockaday, who was an eyebrow-raising appointment to begin with, after 70 days in charge, and is now imminently set to hire his third manager in as many months since the start of the season.

Reliable Redfearn is ready to step into the firing line once more, with what appears to be an attempt to provide some form of stability to the struggling Championship side.

It is not the first time, however, that the Whites have looked for an internal solution, or turned to Redfearn to paper over the cracks.

The 49-year-old former Bolton Wanderers midfielder and Scarborough boss has been teased with taking over the reins at Elland Road on three occasions already, having originally left a caretaker role with York City to become Leeds’ Under-18s coach in 2009.

Redfearn has previously stepped into the role of interim manager following the departures of Simon Grayson, Neil Warnock and Dave Hockaday. A constant during all the managerial upheaval, the fan favourite is rumoured to finally be given an opportunity to impress on a permanent basis.

After guiding the Whites to three victories and a draw in his latest temporary stint in charge, before being replaced by Slovenian boss Milanic, Redfearn was demoted to the position of academy manager and head of coaching.

Despite being dropped so swiftly, it seems Redfearn is still keen to show what he can do with more time and appears to be the perfect solution to Leeds’ current woes.