Mighty Leeds Weblog

leedsunited.com 28/5/15 We are pleased to confirm our first two pre-season fixtures of the summer, with the club set to face Spanish giants Athletic Bilbao in Austria and German outfit Hoffenheim in Norway. As part of a week-long training camp in Austria between July 18-24, United will meet La Liga club Bilbao on Tuesday July 21 at a venue and kick-off time to be confirmed. The squad will then head to Norway to take on Bundesliga side Hoffenheim on Saturday July 25 (kick-off time TBA). The friendly will take place at the home of Lillestrom SK, where head coach Uwe Rosler spent time as both a player and a manager. The club would like to thank former United defender Gunnar Halle for his role in facilitating the Hoffenheim friendly in Norway. Rosler said: “I started last week so my first days at work were spent assessing certain things and what was in place for pre-season. “We decided it was in the best interests of our football club, and for the quality of teams that we can meet,...

Yorkshire Evening Post 27/5/15 Phil Hay Leeds United’s hunt for a head of recruitment is starting again after the bizarre breakdown of an attempt to appoint Norwich City scout Steve Head. Head was lined up to take the job at Elland Road and visited United’s Thorp Arch training ground last Friday but owner Massimo Cellino has withdrawn his offer in an apparent disagreement over Head’s plans to depart on an immediate holiday. The YEP understands that Cellino took issue with the absence of United’s new recruitment boss at a time when the club are actively looking for players in the transfer market. Leeds named Uwe Rosler as head coach last week and have been identifying potential signings in the days since the German took charge of their first-team squad. Head - a former head of recruitment at Reading - became Norwich’s chief scout last year but is understood to have been on gardening leave since Neil Adams resigned as manager at Carrow Road in January. Head was poised to lead the ...

The arrival of Rob Kelly as Uwe Rosler’s No 2 is virtually finalised and little by little Leeds United look less like a one-man club. Adam Pearson, their new director, made the point last week that Leeds still have a solitary owner – “he’ll set the policies and he’ll make the ultimate decisions” – but Massimo Cellino appears to be embracing the framework of staff which many think he needs. The involvement of Pearson himself is progress for a club who, Cellino aside, have not had an experienced football mind in the boardroom for the best part of two years. Rosler, too, is a credible head coach; good enough to justify replacing Neil Redfearn, though not to justify the treatment of Redfearn in general. Rosler was given free rein to appoint his own backroom team and Kelly should become the first addition to it before the end of this week, returning to the game four months after leaving West Brom in the aftermath of Tony Pulis’ appointment at the Hawthorns. Kelly, 46, had a limited prof...

Phil Hay New Leeds United head coach Uwe Rosler has lined up former Leicester City boss Rob Kelly as his assistant as Elland Road. Leeds are close to securing the first addition to Rosler’s backroom staff and look set to name Kelly as Rosler’s number two later this week. Fifty-year-old Kelly is a vastly experienced coach in his own right having managed Leicester in 2006 and 2007 and worked at Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion. He acted as caretaker manager in spells with each of those clubs but left his most recent job at West Brom after Tony Pulis took over at the Hawthorns in January. In his younger years, Kelly carved out a short playing career at Leicester and Wolverhampton Wanderers but was forced to retire through injury at the age of 24. He would be the first of a number of appointments which Leeds intend to finalise after naming Rosler as their head coach on a two-year contract last week. The German is set to recruit a sep...

leedsunited.com 25/5/15 Uwe Rosler says the prospect of working with United’s exciting crop of homegrown talent was one of the "key factors" in him taking the head coach job last week, having been assured that the "nucleus of the team will stay". Rosler is already relishing the prospect of working with the likes of Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt, Sam Byram and Charlie Taylor after seeing the Thorp Arch graduates flourish together last season. “I think that was one of the key factors (in taking the job),” the former Brentford and Wigan Athletic boss explained. “I saw Leeds United, as I saw many clubs in the last six months, and I was very impressed with some of the performances of those who delivered. “I think there is a core of players with their best years in front of them. “I’m very excited to work with that group of players who I see as having great potential to go up the table. “I think Neil Redfearn left a very solid foundation for me to build on and put the ne...

Yorkshire Evening Post 25/5/15 Phil Hay Leeds United are considering joining the group of teams bidding to sign Jermaine Beckford on a free transfer. The former Whites star scored a stunning hat-trick for Preston North End in their 4-0 League One play-off final victory over Swindon Town at Wembley yesterday. The Elland Road club have been in contact with Beckford’s representatives over the past month and owner Massimo Cellino scouted the forward during Preston’s play-off semi-final against Chesterfield. Discussions between the two camps are understood to have taken place prior to Uwe Rosler’s appointment as Leeds head coach last week and it is not clear if United’s new boss will look for Cellino to follow up his interest in Beckford. But the 31-year-old – a prolific goalscorer in a previous five-season spell at Elland Road – is one of the Football League’s more attractive free agents after reaching the end of his deal at Bolton Wanderers. Bolton released him last week and Beckfo...

Yorkshire Evening Post 22/5/15 Adam Pearson is optimistic that the appointment of Uwe Rosler as head coach will be the start of a period of stability at Leeds United and says the German will have his “fullest support” as he tries to make his mark on the job. Pearson attempted to paint a picture of calm at Leeds after Rosler agreed to become the club’s fifth first-team boss in the space of 12 months by signing a two-year contract on Wednesday. The rapid turnover of coaches at Elland Road is indicative of United’s turbulent existence under owner Massimo Cellino but Pearson, who joined the club as executive director last week, said signs of unrest on the outside were “not what’s paddling under the water.” Rosler’s arrival ended the reign of Neil Redfearn, the incumbent head coach who held the post for six months and has now been told that he is free to return to his old job as manager of the academy at Thorp Arch. Redfearn’s removal came on the back of a spell of intense speculation a...

Yorkshire Evening Post 21/5/15 Phil Hay Adam Pearson is optimistic that the appointment of Uwe Rosler as head coach will be the start of a period of stability at Leeds United and says the German will have his “fullest support” as he tries to make his mark on the job. Pearson attempted to paint a picture of calm at Leeds after Rosler agreed to become the club’s fifth first-team boss in the space of 12 months by signing a two-year contract yesterday. The rapid turnover of coaches at Elland Road is indicative of United’s turbulent existence under owner Massimo Cellino but Pearson, who joined the club as executive director last week, said signs of unrest on the outside were “not what’s paddling under the water.” Rosler’s arrival ended the reign of Neil Redfearn, the incumbent head coach who held the post for six months and has now been told that he is free to return to his old job as manager of the academy at Thorp Arch. Redfearn’s removal came on the back of a spell of intense specu...

leedsunited.com 21/5/15 Executive Director Adam Pearson believes that new head coach Uwe Rosler has the ability to "inspire this club" during what he sees as exciting times at Elland Road. Pearson only returned to the club at the start of last week but insists he has seen “only positive signs behind the scenes so far”, with Rosler’s appointment the latest move in preparation for the new campaign. "I’m really excited to have Uwe here," he explained at Wednesday's unveiling of the new head coach. "I think he’s a top coach, a strong character and a strong personality. "I think he will inspire this club and this crowd to get the ball rolling and get some momentum into this club, I genuinely believe that. "We’re excited about the future, I know it’s easy for me to say that after only being here for 10 days but I’ve only seen positive signs behind the scenes so far. "I can only take that as the way we’re going and, for me, it’s a very positiv...

leedsunited.com 21/5/15 New head coach Uwe Rosler has outlined what he believes are the "key ingredients" to achieve success at Leeds, saying everybody at the club and the supporters need to be "driving in one direction". The former Brentford and Wigan boss was unveiled as the new man in charge at Elland Road on Wednesday afternoon after putting pen to paper on a two-year deal. Rosler already has his sights set on improving on last season’s 15th-place finish in the Championship, but he insists there will be no “big overhaul” of the squad this summer. "I think the key ingredient is the right expectation, setting the right level of targets and creating chemistry between the staff and the players and also between the supporters where everybody is driving in one direction," he said. "I think that is crucial. When your expectations are too high, sometimes teams get nervous and show problems like losing their confidence. "I think you can achieve ...

Yorkshire Evening Post 21/5/15 Phil Hay Uwe Rosler took the reins at Leeds United last night and backed himself to thrive under volatile owner Massimo Cellino, saying: “I’m not suicidal.” Rosler described his appointment as head coach as the “chance of a lifetime” and said he would not have accepted the opportunity at Elland Road without confidence in his ability to work with Cellino. The German became Cellino’s fifth first-team boss in the space of 12 months when he signed a two-year contract yesterday, replacing Neil Redfearn. Leeds have been beset by controversy and problems during Cellino’s time as owner but 46-year-old Rosler insisted he was optimistic of building a good relationship with the Italian. “I’m not suicidal,” Rosler said. “If I didn’t see a chance to be successful with this club then I wouldn’t have taken that chance. “I had other opportunities but I chose this one because it was Leeds United. The owner is very passionate and I have passion. We all want to do the...

Yorkshire Post 20/5/15 UWE ROSLER has been through plenty in his 46 years. From being brought up in Communist East Germany under the notorious eye of the dreaded secret police, the Stasi, to winning a battle with lung cancer after doctors diagnosed a tumour which was the size of a tennis ball pressing against his windpipe just over a decade ago. In life, he has displayed his fighting qualities, almost as a badge of honour. Testimony to that is the name of his autobiography which is entitled Knocking Down Walls – in deference to his former life on the eastern side of the Berlin Wall under the repressive regime of Erich Honecker. Clearly a figure not to be intimidated earlier, having held firm amid interrogation from the Stasi, when being encouraged to spy on his young East German team-mates as a young and vulnerable boy going it alone in his quest to carve out a career in the beautiful game. Don’t let it be said that he does not possess character either. Not many mullet-haired Ge...

Four Four Two 20/5/15 Paul Watson Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has lost faith in Uwe Rosler less than a minute after his appointment. Back of the Net reports... Leeds United have parted company with Uwe Rosler after the German manager failed to deliver the expected results in his first 14 seconds in charge. After a frustrating period of slow, steady progress under Neil Redfearn, the volatile Italian owner had believed Rosler would be the man to deliver success on a more acceptable timescale. Cellino began the unveiling press conference looking relaxed and confident in his appointment, taking time to regale the press hordes with a detailed analysis of the Italian legal system, jurisprudence in Italian business and cats. But things began to go awry when Rosler was invited to speak. Before the former Brentford boss had even finished his introductory sentence, Cellino began to mutter, cutting him off entirely before he could develop what appeared to be a promising second sentence. “On...

weareleedsunited.co.uk 20/5/15 by Charlie Sopp Today’s Press Conference that introduced new Head-Coach Uwe Rosler has given me a list to get through as I choose which story I write about next. Uwe Rosler conducted himself very well and the German boss certainly gave off the right vibes. However for this specific article I will concentrate on what Adam Pearson revealed about “key appointments” in the very near future and recruitment off the field. When Massimo Cellino left the club in January to comply with his Football League ban he left in place a very thin team on the ground at Elland Road. Andrew Umbers was left in charge of the club from the top as Chairman, and Matt Childs stayed to help. Nicola Salerno continued in his role as Sporting Director and Redders and Steve Thompson were left to run the club on the pitch. However this small team was dismantled as the months went on. Matt Childs left because he felt his position had become untenable, Nicola Salerno suspended (sacked) S...

Yorkshire Evening Post 20/5/15 Leeds United unveiled Uwe Rosler as their new head coach during a press conference at Elland Road today, placing the club’s squad in the hands of a man who is accustomed to fighting battles. Phil Hay reports. Uwe Rosler survived lung cancer and the close attention of the East German Stasi so getting a grip of Massimo Cellino and Leeds United should be his kind of job. Rosler had a glass of water in front of him when, on his first appearance as United’s head coach, he was asked how he would cope with a high-maintenance owner who goes through coaches like a Flymo through grass. “I don’t know how you guys feel but I’m very happy,” he said. “For me that glass is half full and not half empty. That’s my philosophy in life.” Read about his life and you’ll understand why. None of that changes the reality on the ground at Leeds and in amongst the usual tasks of a new first-team boss, Rosler can see two necessary objectives: to make his relationship with Celli...

Yorkshire Evening Post 20/5/15 Phil Hay Leeds United director Adam Pearson has told Neil Redfearn that he is free to resume his old job as academy boss, despite his unceremonious removal as head coach and a bitter fall-out with owner Massimo Cellino. Redfearn has been offered a return to United’s youth-team set-up after the club confirmed his departure from the first-team role at Elland Road by appointing Uwe Rosler as their new head coach. Rosler signed a two-year contract yesterday and is already in the process of recruiting his backroom staff ahead of the start of pre-season training in July. Redfearn’s short tenure as head coach – a reign which began last November – looked ill-fated during the closing weeks of the Championship season and his demotion was effectively confirmed at the weekend following a scathing newspaper interview in which Cellino accused him of acting “like a baby” and of being a “weak character”. Cellino has not spoken to Redfearn since the end of the Italia...

leedsunited.com 20/5/15 Uwe Rosler says he is relishing the chance to take charge of United and believes there is already "great potential" here after being unveiled as the club’s new head coach on Wednesday afternoon. The former Brentford and Wigan Athletic boss put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Elland Road and spoke exclusively to LUTV prior to holding his first press conference alongside Executive Director Adam Pearson. "I feel very happy, it’s a great opportunity. This is a massive club," Rosler explained. "From my playing time, I remember Elland Road buzzing and a very intense atmosphere. I see something in the group of players that we can work with." Describing the process which brought him to the club, Rosler added: "There was an approach, I got told by the club they were looking for the head coach position. "Since my time at Wigan, I had been out of work, studying the game and readying myself. I was always clear that I wanted t...

Yorkshire Evening Post 20/5/15 Leon Wobschall UWE ROSLER insists that accepting the head coaching role at Leeds United was a ‘no brainer’ and says it is ‘a chance in a lifetime’ for him. The German was unveiled as United’s fifth permanent head coach/manager in the Massimo Cellino era this afternoon, signing a two-year deal. The former Brentford and Wigan boss spoke about not being cowed by the challenge of bucking the trend and becoming the man to break the cycle of continual head coaching appointments at the club. Rosler, who immediately targetted a top-ten finish after being unveiled, said: “I had one or two opportunities. But this one came available at very short notice and it can’t get bigger than this. It was a no-brainer. “Life is a challenge and I am know what I am gettng myself in for and I have thrived on challenges and pressure all my life. “I have been out of work and have used the last six months to educate myself and I was always keen to come back in the summer.” M...

Leeds United are pleased to confirm that Uwe Rosler has been appointed as the club’s new head coach on a two-year deal. Rosler, a former East Germany international, has built-up a strong reputation, particularly in English football, during his 10-year managerial career to date. His playing career spanned 16 years and was largely spent in the German leagues before 1994 brought a move to Manchester City, where he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame after four fruitful years produced 64 goals in 176 appearances. Two years back in Germany followed – with FC Kaiserslautern and Tennis Borussia Berlin – before he soon returned to England in 2000, joining Southampton on a free transfer and then heading to West Brom on loan. Sadly for Rosler, his playing career was brought to a premature end while representing Norwegian side Lillestrom in 2003. Just 34 at the time, he was diagnosed with lung cancer which forced him into early retirement from the game. But he battled his way to a full...

Inside Futbol 20/5/15 Leeds United's treatment of head coach Neil Redfearn has been branded "disgusting" by a consultant who worked for the club earlier this season. Redfearn is under contract with Leeds until 30th June, but has been left hanging over his future. Now Leeds are moving to appoint Uwe Rosler as their new head coach, despite the fact Redfearn is still under contract. Leeds appointed Redfearn earlier this season and he steered the club away from the relegation zone in the Championship. The 49-year-old was formerly Leeds' academy chief and put in years of service developing youngsters for the Whites. And consultant Graham Bean, who was sacked by owner Massimo Cellino earlier this season, has launched a scathing attack on the way Leeds as a club are being run. "Disgusting treatment of Redfearn – wonder when LUFC have the courage to tell him it's over who will deliver the news….or who won't?" he wrote on Twitter. "If MC [Massimo C...

Vital Leeds 19/5/15 Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino believes English football is not for young Brazilian Adryan. The attacking midfielder spent the season on loan at Elland Road with a view to a permanent deal this summer but any chance of that deal happening now looks dead after Cellino admitted in an interview with Italian Radio Station Il Cagliari in Diretta that things did not work out for him during his time with Leeds. "Adryan was not part of Cagliari`s plans, so I pledged to bring him to England. Football here is not for him, it did not work," Cellino told Il Cagliari in Diretta. The 20-year-old, who cancelled his loan spell with Cellino`s former club Cagliari to sign for Leeds, made just 13 appearances during his time at Elland Road with just two of those coming after the turn of the year and he is now expected to return to parent club Flamengo in Brazil.

Daily Star 19/5/15 MASSIMO CELLINO has drawn up a three-man shortlist to replace Leeds boss Neil Redfearn, reports tonight suggest. By Rhys Turrell Redfearn's future at Elland Road is in doubt after Cellino refused to back his manager at a press conference last week. The Italian went on to describe Redfearn as 'weak' and 'a baby'. And according to reports, Cellino will chose between three men to replace him in the top job at the Championship club. One name under consideration is understood to be former Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler. The German has been out of work since being sacked by Wigan in November. Former Leeds midfielder Gary McAllister has also revealed his interest in returning to the club. He said: "I think if there is any chance to try and help Leeds United then I'm here. They know where I am."

ITV 19/5/15 Former Wigan and Brentford manager Uwe Rosler has held discussions with Leeds United about becoming the club's new manager, according to the BBC. BBC Leeds sports broadcaster Adam Pope tweeted the news to his followers this afternoon and the immediate reaction suggested supporters of the club would not be keen on Rosler taking over. Bernie Baldie asked: "Why, for heaven's sake. He failed miserably at Wigan," while Paul Baker said: "Might as well plan for league one now!" The news that discussions with prospective new managers are being held while Neil Redfearn is still in charge will raise even more concerns about the way Leeds are being run by controversial owner Massimo Cellino.

Yorkshire Evening Post 19/5/15 SOURCES close to former Leeds United winger Cameron Stewart have revealed that he has won his compensation claim against the club – and will receive a minimum of £500,000. Stewart’s claims for unpaid wages were heard at a hearing in London last month, with the 24-year-old having been seeking around £750,000 following United’s decision to renege on their offer of a three-year contract last summer. Stewart joined Leeds on an emergency loan from Hull City midway through last season but he agreed and signed a permanent deal at the time. United, however, withdrew the offer after the Football League spotted problems with the paperwork and sent it back to Elland Road. The deal had been signed by former United managing director David Haigh but Haigh quit his post in April and was no longer registered as one of Leeds’ ‘authorised signatories’ with the Football League. United owner Massimo Cellino, who completed his takeover of the club three days before Haig...

Yorkshire Evening Post 19/5/15 FORMER BRENTFORD and Wigan Athletic boss Uwe Rosler is being strongly linked with the head coach position at Leeds United Neil Redfearn is on the verge of the sack at United and owner Massimo Cellino is scrutinising a number of potential replacements including ex-Whites number two Gus Poyet, Mark Warburton and Nigel Adkins, with Manchester-based Rosler being the new name in the frame. The German was sacked by Wigan last year after just 11 months in charge last November after failing to preside over an upturn in fortunes at the club, who were ultimately relegated last term. Ex-Manchester City striker Rosler had previously managed Brentford and took them to the League One play-off final in 2012-13 and in a strong position to be promoted the following season before leaving for Wigan in December 2013. Rosler, 46, has since turned down an approach from 1860 Munich due to his desire to remain in England.

Yorkshire Evening Post 19/5/15 FOR NEIL REDFEARN, the end of the road at Leeds United looks nigh, but he can certainly hold his head up high for his sterling work in wholly difficult circumstances in 2014-15. The 49-year-old has endured a torrid crash course in management, but commendably shown his dignity throughout, with his ‘prize’ for providing a welcome sense of stability and bringing through a number of talented kids into the first team at Leeds likely to be the sack. Redfearn endured plenty in 2014-15. From his number two Steve Thompson being suspended in mystifying circumstances on April 2 to six players refusing to play in the league game at Charlton Athletic on April 18 after declaring themselves unfit. And plenty more besides. The Yorkshireman and boyhood Leeds fan has shown stoicism throughout and earned the respect of countless people in the football fraternity, not to mention Leeds United’s long-suffering fanbase. Not in terms of respect for what he has had to put up...

Glasgow Evening Times 19/5/15 Times understands that while there has been a genuine interest from the troubled Championship club in the player, they would struggle to meet the Parkhead club's valuation of the 24-year-old. The link with Griffiths is believed to be connected with Leeds' desire to make Celtic chief scout David Moss their technical director in the close season. The two parties have spoken this month and the Yorkshire club believe they can persuade him to make the move south. Moss, 46, has worked with Celtic since 2010, initially with their academy, and is the man Elland Road owner Massimo Cellino wants to help lead the club back to the Premier League. Even if Leeds could find the money to make a serious bid, Celtic manager Ronny Deila is not about to allow the striker, who has enjoyed a fantastic second half to this title-winning campaign, walk out of the club. The form of the former Hibs and Wolves man has seen him recalled into the Scotland squad to face th...

LEEDS United are set to make a £1 million offer in an attempt to take Leigh Griffiths from Celtic this summer, according to reports. The Scottish Sun claim the Yorkshire club want the in-form striker to spearhead their attack next season as they look to climb out of the English football league for the first time since their 2004 Premier League relegation. Leeds have been one of the English Championship’s lowest scorers this term with only 50 goals scored in 46 games. Owner Massimo Cellino is said to have his heart set on the Scottish international who he sees as the player to reverse the club’s fortunes in front of goal. However, it may take more than £1 million to persuade Celtic to part with a player they reportedly paid the same amount to sign from Wolves in last year’s January transfer window. After a slow start to his career at Parkhead, Griffiths has caught fire in 2015 with 15 goals in his last 20 games, including a pair of hat-tricks. He is contracted until 2018 on a repor...

Yorkshire Evening Post 18/5/15 Rob Parsons The sister of former Leeds United managing director David Haigh has told of the “devastating effect” her brother’s year spent in a Dubai prison cell has had on their family. Mr Haigh, the former deputy chief executive of Dubai-based bank GFH, has been held in custody without charge since May 18, 2014, when he was arrested on suspicion of fraud, embezzlement and money-laundering. GFH alleges that Mr Haigh, who protests his innocence 
and claims he was lured to Dubai under false pretences, defrauded it of £3m by falsifying invoices and diverted money into accounts controlled by him. Last week, his case suffered a blow when the Dubai courts refused to release funds from his frozen bank account to pay his legal team. This resulted in him being left without representation. Mr Haigh’s sister, Ali Thomas, 40, has had to quit her job as a language teacher because the strain meant she could not focus on her role. The mother-of-three, who lives i...

Yorkshire Post 17/5/15 Leeds United head coach Neil Redfearn is on the verge of the sack after an outspoken attack on him by owner Massimo Cellino. In a savage interview with Sunday Mirror, Cellino accused Redfearn of turning the club’s fans against him and acting “like a baby” over his contract at Elland Road. The Italian’s comments appear to have shattered an already tense relationship between him and his head coach, who was appointed by Cellino last November but will reach the end of his deal on June 30. Leeds have an option to extend Redfearn’s contract for another 12 months and speaking at a 70-minute press conference last Thursday, Cellino refused to confirm whether the 49-year-old would stay in his job for the 2015-16 season. But Redfearn is now poised to leave the club after Cellino claimed he “tried to play the fans against me” in the hope of remaining in charge. Redfearn received the backing of United’s support during the final weeks of the Championship season, a period...

leedsunited.com 15/5/15 United chairman Massimo Cellino has welcomed Adam Pearson back to Elland Road and explained how his return in the position of Executive Director will allow for the workload to be shared. Pearson, who previously spent five years at the club before departing his role as Commercial Director in 2001, was appointed in the role of what he describes as Mr Cellino’s “right-hand” man on Monday. The former Hull City chairman has a wealth of experience and success in football, guiding the Tigers to back-to-back promotions during his initial six-year stint on Humberside. A spell at Derby County followed before he returned to the KC Stadium, where he also remains the owner of Super League side Hull FC. He will work closely with Mr Cellino to assist him with the running of the club, and the Italian owner believes Pearson’s experience will prove to be a real asset as he prepares for the new season. “I took Adam because he was at Leeds before. I saw a lot of people,” the U...

Yorkshire Evening Post 15/5/15 Phil Hay Massimo Cellino has claimed responsibility for Charlie Taylor’s breakthrough at Leeds United - and revealed he sold Stephen Warnock to Derby County in January “without telling” head coach Neil Redfearn. In another remarkable moment during yesterday’s press conference at Elland Road, Cellino said he had been behind Taylor’s emergence this season and appeared to play down Redfearn’s reputation as a coach who favours blooding young players. United’s recent Championship campaign relied on a number of academy products, all of whom worked under Redfearn in his previous role as youth-team boss. Sam Byram, Alex Mowatt and Lewis Cook were used throughout the season but Taylor, who received a new three-year contract from Cellino last summer, came into the side in January following the departure of the experienced left-back Warnock to Pride Park. Cellino said he had first become aware of Taylor’s talent while the 21-year-old was playing in the League ...

Yorkshire Evening Post 15/5/15 Neil Redfearn’s future as Leeds United head coach looked more precarious than ever last night after owner Massimo Cellino insisted he would not “please the fans” by bowing to pressure to extend Redfearn’s contract. At a bizarre and explosive press conference, Cellino refused to confirm whether Redfearn would remain as head coach next season, saying he was “fighting with his emotion” as he pondered the 49-year-old’s fate. Cellino presented himself to the media at Elland Road yesterday, speaking publicly for the first time since completing his Football League disqualification and retaking control of affairs at Elland Road. The Italian used the fractious event to scotch takeover rumours and insist that he would only consider selling the club in two years’ time if he was “not ready to take this club to the Premier League.” Cellino has returned to Elland Road at the end of a turbulent season and is facing mounting criticism from United’s supporters over h...

Yorkshire Evening Post 14/5/15 Leon Wobschall LEEDS UNITED chairman Massimo Cellino has refused to confirm whether Neil Redfearn will remain as head coach - following a thoroughly bizarre press conference at Elland Road. The Italian owner failed to answer a barrage of questions on whether Redfearn would be in charge at the club next season in at times thoroughly chaotic and confusing briefing with journalists. Cellino, who went out during the conference for a smoke break, leaving new chief executive officer Adam Pearson to field a whole host of questions, said that he had not yet spoken to Redfearn about his future. He said: “I have to find the right coach for Leeds and not because I want to please the fans for 15 minutes and not because I’m worried someone will tell me ‘Cellino, it’s time to go’. “Last year I was rushing. Now I have time and this decision is important because we have to build the team for next season. “The decision should not be for the short term because decis...

Phil Hay New Leeds United director Adam Pearson insisted tonight that the club were in “good shape” and claimed a play-off bid would be realistic next season if they got their “acquisitions right.” Speaking to the YEP, Pearson said he had come back to Leeds to help “take a bit of weight off” Massimo Cellino with the Italian drawing breath after a troubled first season as owner. Cellino appointed Pearson to United’s board as an executive director on Monday, an unexpected but popular development which followed a series of meetings between them last weekend. Pearson’s appointment comes 14 years after he left a previous role as commercial director at Leeds and a mere three weeks after the 50-year-old was named as part of a three-man ‘sporting committee’ at Sheffield Wednesday. The former Hull City owner – a recognised and respected figure in footballing circles – said he was confident of establishing a productive relationship with United’s volatile owner but admitted he had not taken ...