Redders plans to ‘bat on’ at Leeds United
Yorkshire Evening Post 13/3/15
Neil Redfearn expects talks over his Leeds United future to wait for the conclusion of Massimo Cellino’s ownership ban, insisting last night that he would “bat on” as head coach until the club approach him about a new contract.
Redfearn revealed that he was still in the dark about the likelihood of an extension to his deal as Leeds prepared to begin the last 10 games of his first season in charge.
United are a month-and-a-half away from the end of their Championship term and the club will compete in the same division next season after emphatically winning their fight against relegation in the second half of the campaign.
Their past nine fixtures have played out in the absence of Cellino, who was disqualified as owner and director of Leeds by the Football League in January, and the Italian will not be free to resume his position as club president until May 3, the day after the Championship season ends.
Cellino is currently abroad in Miami, barred from exerting control over United, and the subject of Redfearn’s short-term contract - a deal which expires in the summer - has not been broached by the club’s board.
At the time of Redfearn’s appointment as head coach in November, Leeds negotiated a clause allowing them to keep the 49-year-old in his job next season.
The club also have the option of retaining assistant boss Steve Thompson for the 2015-16 term.
Redfearn, whose squad have taken 23 points from 11 league games since the start of January, said: “The president’s away so things are on hold I’d imagine.
“I just keep doing what I’ve been asked to do. It’s going well and you just want to do as well as you can for the club.
“It was important that we stayed in this division because at one point it was looking a bit tricky but we’ve got ourselves into a good position. Everybody’s mucked in and we’ve all got to take credit for that. I just want to look forward to these games. We’ll take it from there.”
Asked when he thought his future would become clear, Redfearn said: “The club would have to answer that question.
“I’ve enjoyed myself. It’s a tremendous privilege being manager or head coach of Leeds United because the band of people is exclusive - not many people have managed the club.
“I’m proud of what the boys have achieved by getting themselves out of trouble and there are lots of plusses here. But until it (the question of his future) gets asked or addressed, I’ve just got to bat on, enjoy what I’m doing and get results.”
United host Nottingham Forest at Elland Road tomorrow, the first of their 10 remaining fixtures.
A crowd in excess of 30,000 - Leeds’ largest home crowd of the season - is expected on the back of successive wins over Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic.
Redfearn said: “We’ve done a lot of graft to get to this position but we don’t want to stop. We want a good end to the season so we can take it into next season.”
Neil Redfearn expects talks over his Leeds United future to wait for the conclusion of Massimo Cellino’s ownership ban, insisting last night that he would “bat on” as head coach until the club approach him about a new contract.
Redfearn revealed that he was still in the dark about the likelihood of an extension to his deal as Leeds prepared to begin the last 10 games of his first season in charge.
United are a month-and-a-half away from the end of their Championship term and the club will compete in the same division next season after emphatically winning their fight against relegation in the second half of the campaign.
Their past nine fixtures have played out in the absence of Cellino, who was disqualified as owner and director of Leeds by the Football League in January, and the Italian will not be free to resume his position as club president until May 3, the day after the Championship season ends.
Cellino is currently abroad in Miami, barred from exerting control over United, and the subject of Redfearn’s short-term contract - a deal which expires in the summer - has not been broached by the club’s board.
At the time of Redfearn’s appointment as head coach in November, Leeds negotiated a clause allowing them to keep the 49-year-old in his job next season.
The club also have the option of retaining assistant boss Steve Thompson for the 2015-16 term.
Redfearn, whose squad have taken 23 points from 11 league games since the start of January, said: “The president’s away so things are on hold I’d imagine.
“I just keep doing what I’ve been asked to do. It’s going well and you just want to do as well as you can for the club.
“It was important that we stayed in this division because at one point it was looking a bit tricky but we’ve got ourselves into a good position. Everybody’s mucked in and we’ve all got to take credit for that. I just want to look forward to these games. We’ll take it from there.”
Asked when he thought his future would become clear, Redfearn said: “The club would have to answer that question.
“I’ve enjoyed myself. It’s a tremendous privilege being manager or head coach of Leeds United because the band of people is exclusive - not many people have managed the club.
“I’m proud of what the boys have achieved by getting themselves out of trouble and there are lots of plusses here. But until it (the question of his future) gets asked or addressed, I’ve just got to bat on, enjoy what I’m doing and get results.”
United host Nottingham Forest at Elland Road tomorrow, the first of their 10 remaining fixtures.
A crowd in excess of 30,000 - Leeds’ largest home crowd of the season - is expected on the back of successive wins over Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic.
Redfearn said: “We’ve done a lot of graft to get to this position but we don’t want to stop. We want a good end to the season so we can take it into next season.”