Leeds United: Redfearn won’t be on bench for Millers game
Yorkshire Evening Post 16/10/14
Leeds United academy manager Neil Redfearn will not be present in the dug-out for tonight’s first-team game at Rotherham United, despite receiving an offer to join Darko Milanic’s staff, writes PHIL HAY.
Redfearn was invited to be part of Milanic’s backroom team on match days earlier this week after York City showed initial interest in appointing Redfearn as their new manager.
But head coach Milanic said he and Redfearn had agreed that a role covering the academy and the senior squad would leave Redfearn with an excessive workload.
“He won’t be with us tonight because he has a lot of jobs to do in the academy,” Milanic said. “We spoke about it and it’s a good idea that he is with us but his work with the academy means he stays with the academy. He has a lot to do.”
Redfearn, who has been a development coach at Thorp Arch for six years, stepped in as first-team caretaker in August after the sacking of former Leeds head coach David Hockaday and took 10 points from four league games in charge.
United’s form during his short reign failed to earn him the full-time job, however, and Milanic was appointed by club owner Massimo Cellino on a two-year deal after quitting Austrian side Sturm Graz last month. Serbian Novica Nikcevic also came to Elland Road as Milanic’s assistant.
Cellino said he wanted Milanic and Redfearn to work closely together but Redfearn was not present at any of Milanic’s first three games in charge having indicated that he wanted to give the Slovenian space to settle into his job.
Another offer of first-team involvement was made to Redfearn on Tuesday, a day after York began exploring the possibility of approaching him, but he will focus purely on academy duties this weekend as Milanic bids for his first win as head coach at Rotherham tonight.
Leeds United academy manager Neil Redfearn will not be present in the dug-out for tonight’s first-team game at Rotherham United, despite receiving an offer to join Darko Milanic’s staff, writes PHIL HAY.
Redfearn was invited to be part of Milanic’s backroom team on match days earlier this week after York City showed initial interest in appointing Redfearn as their new manager.
But head coach Milanic said he and Redfearn had agreed that a role covering the academy and the senior squad would leave Redfearn with an excessive workload.
“He won’t be with us tonight because he has a lot of jobs to do in the academy,” Milanic said. “We spoke about it and it’s a good idea that he is with us but his work with the academy means he stays with the academy. He has a lot to do.”
Redfearn, who has been a development coach at Thorp Arch for six years, stepped in as first-team caretaker in August after the sacking of former Leeds head coach David Hockaday and took 10 points from four league games in charge.
United’s form during his short reign failed to earn him the full-time job, however, and Milanic was appointed by club owner Massimo Cellino on a two-year deal after quitting Austrian side Sturm Graz last month. Serbian Novica Nikcevic also came to Elland Road as Milanic’s assistant.
Cellino said he wanted Milanic and Redfearn to work closely together but Redfearn was not present at any of Milanic’s first three games in charge having indicated that he wanted to give the Slovenian space to settle into his job.
Another offer of first-team involvement was made to Redfearn on Tuesday, a day after York began exploring the possibility of approaching him, but he will focus purely on academy duties this weekend as Milanic bids for his first win as head coach at Rotherham tonight.
