Leeds make offer to Sturm Graz coach Darko Milanic to be new manager
Guardian 21/9/14
Leeds have been without a manager since sacking Dave Hockaday
Neil Redfearn has been unbeaten during his period as caretaker
Leeds have approached Darko Milanic, the Sturm Graz head coach, to fill the managerial vacancy at Elland Road, the Austrian club have announced.
The club are yet to replace Dave Hockaday, sacked in August after delivering just one league victory during his 70-day tenure. Milanic, who captained Slovenia at Euro 2000, has been asked to take the job.
Shortly before Sturm beat SV Ried 1-0 in the Austrian Bundesliga on Saturday, a statement published on their official Facebook page read: “Darko Milanic has received an offer from Leeds.
“Sturm have also been presented with a request from England. But now we concentrate fully on the game. We will say more tomorrow.”
Should Milanic fly to Leeds in the coming days and subsequently agree to work under Massimo Cellino, the club’s ambitious Italian owner, his first game in charge would be next Saturday’s trip to Brentford.
Leeds are currently 11th in the Championship and are unbeaten under the supervision of caretaker manager Neil Redfearn, who oversaw a 3-0 home victory against Huddersfield on Saturday. If the Slovenian takes the job, Redfearn is likely to be closely consulted on first-team affairs during the early weeks.
Milanic forged his managerial reputation by guiding Maribor to four Slovenian league titles and three Slovenian Cup wins between 2008 and 2013.
He joined Sturm Graz on a three-year contract in June 2013, guiding the Styrian club to a fifth-placed finish in 2013-14. They currently lie seventh in the league.
Speaking during the match against Ried, Sturm general manager Gerhard Goldbrich told diepresse.com: “Milanic has a tremendous opportunity in England. We do not want to punish him.”
Leeds have been without a manager since sacking Dave Hockaday
Neil Redfearn has been unbeaten during his period as caretaker
Leeds have approached Darko Milanic, the Sturm Graz head coach, to fill the managerial vacancy at Elland Road, the Austrian club have announced.
The club are yet to replace Dave Hockaday, sacked in August after delivering just one league victory during his 70-day tenure. Milanic, who captained Slovenia at Euro 2000, has been asked to take the job.
Shortly before Sturm beat SV Ried 1-0 in the Austrian Bundesliga on Saturday, a statement published on their official Facebook page read: “Darko Milanic has received an offer from Leeds.
“Sturm have also been presented with a request from England. But now we concentrate fully on the game. We will say more tomorrow.”
Should Milanic fly to Leeds in the coming days and subsequently agree to work under Massimo Cellino, the club’s ambitious Italian owner, his first game in charge would be next Saturday’s trip to Brentford.
Leeds are currently 11th in the Championship and are unbeaten under the supervision of caretaker manager Neil Redfearn, who oversaw a 3-0 home victory against Huddersfield on Saturday. If the Slovenian takes the job, Redfearn is likely to be closely consulted on first-team affairs during the early weeks.
Milanic forged his managerial reputation by guiding Maribor to four Slovenian league titles and three Slovenian Cup wins between 2008 and 2013.
He joined Sturm Graz on a three-year contract in June 2013, guiding the Styrian club to a fifth-placed finish in 2013-14. They currently lie seventh in the league.
Speaking during the match against Ried, Sturm general manager Gerhard Goldbrich told diepresse.com: “Milanic has a tremendous opportunity in England. We do not want to punish him.”
