New Leeds United head coach Darko Milanic: I do not fear Massimo Cellino
Guardian 24/9/14
The new Leeds United head coach Darko Milanic has insisted he has no fears about working for the club’s controversial owner Massimo Cellino.
Milanic, a 46-year-old who captained Slovenia at Euro 2000, has been brought in by Cellino to replace Dave Hockaday, who was sacked after just six games in charge.
The Italian businessman went through 36 coaches in 22 years at Cagliari, but Milanic, who has signed a contract until 2016, said he has been given no time-scale to win promotion.
“It is a dream for everyone, for the fans, that we make it to the Premier League but we know that it will be very difficult,” said the former Sturm Graz coach. “When we talked [to Cellino] last Sunday he told me my job is to make the squad better, play better on the field and be prepared to play in the Premier League but not that we are going in Premier League.
“For me I am concentrating on the extremely important first game and then the next game. I don’t look to 2016 – I live now in this moment. I am very motivated and excited about the new job at Leeds United. I like that the fans come in the stadium and have fun with us but you have to have order on the pitch and be aggressive and play like a team.
“I want to make some changes technically – I saw that here are many talented guys and I will push them to play.”
Asked if he was worried about Cellino’s reputation for firing coaches, he replied: “No. In our job it is at risk every Saturday, every game. I have to do my best.”
The Leeds sporting director Nicola Salerno told the news conference that it was unlikely there would be new permanent signings in the January transfer window, but that there would be the possibility for loan deals.
The club have won three and drawn one since Hockaday’s departure and Milanic confirmed that the caretaker manager Neil Redfearn will be in the dugout with him for future games, starting at Brentford on Saturday.
The new Leeds United head coach Darko Milanic has insisted he has no fears about working for the club’s controversial owner Massimo Cellino.
Milanic, a 46-year-old who captained Slovenia at Euro 2000, has been brought in by Cellino to replace Dave Hockaday, who was sacked after just six games in charge.
The Italian businessman went through 36 coaches in 22 years at Cagliari, but Milanic, who has signed a contract until 2016, said he has been given no time-scale to win promotion.
“It is a dream for everyone, for the fans, that we make it to the Premier League but we know that it will be very difficult,” said the former Sturm Graz coach. “When we talked [to Cellino] last Sunday he told me my job is to make the squad better, play better on the field and be prepared to play in the Premier League but not that we are going in Premier League.
“For me I am concentrating on the extremely important first game and then the next game. I don’t look to 2016 – I live now in this moment. I am very motivated and excited about the new job at Leeds United. I like that the fans come in the stadium and have fun with us but you have to have order on the pitch and be aggressive and play like a team.
“I want to make some changes technically – I saw that here are many talented guys and I will push them to play.”
Asked if he was worried about Cellino’s reputation for firing coaches, he replied: “No. In our job it is at risk every Saturday, every game. I have to do my best.”
The Leeds sporting director Nicola Salerno told the news conference that it was unlikely there would be new permanent signings in the January transfer window, but that there would be the possibility for loan deals.
The club have won three and drawn one since Hockaday’s departure and Milanic confirmed that the caretaker manager Neil Redfearn will be in the dugout with him for future games, starting at Brentford on Saturday.
