Leeds United have appointed Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager after sacking Thomas Christiansen on Sunday following the Peacocks’ slump to 10th place in the Skybet Championship table, seven points off the playoffs. The club has announced on their official website that Heckingbottom will be taking over as head coach of the West Yorkshire outfit. The new boss arrives from fellow Sky Bet Championship rivals Barnsley, having been in charge at Oakwell since February 2016. It has been revealed that the 40-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal with the club which will run until the summer of 2019.
Some fans were sceptic about the arrival of their new boss.
https://twitter.com/Dave80112424/status/960561439093207041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitc.com%2Fen-gb%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fleeds-united-fans-react-to-paul-heckingbottom-speculation%2F
@LUFC @andrearadri what a joke!!! Paul heckingbottom, about as much imagination as the badge!!
— Lance (@lancekirby2) February 5, 2018
Don't see the logic in Heckingbottom at all. Replacing a struggling manager… with a struggling manager lower in the table? What am I missing? #lufc
— Top of the Kop (@TheTopOfTheKop) February 5, 2018
While others were more optimistic and are willing to give their new gaffer a shot.
To everyone who says Heckingbottom is a bad appointment. Atleast we aren’t signing a nobody from Cyprus. Knows the league well https://t.co/v8t2n08F0B
— Luke (@lukecollier_) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/andywood_86/status/960562448720977921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hitc.com%2Fen-gb%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fleeds-united-fans-react-to-paul-heckingbottom-speculation%2F
Guessing it’s heckingbottom we have got then. Did well at Barnsley to day the funds he had there. But still would of preferred Paul clement or Marco silva. #lufc
— Lucas Barker (@lucasBarker_02) February 5, 2018
It seems that the Leeds United supporters are divided and have mixed opinions on the news of Heckingbottom’s arrival at Elland Road. The 40-year-old English coach is a relatively new face in football management and does not have that much experience to warrant a job at Leeds. However, he has managed Barnsley and knows the English Championship well which could make his appointment a shrewd one.
The English boss’ first game in charge of the Peacocks would be a much anticipated Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane versus Sheffield United on Saturday.
During his playing days, Heckingbottom had a mostly successful career as a defender, with spells at clubs which included the likes of Norwich City, Bradford City, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley. Following his retirement, he returned to Barnsley as a coach in their development setup, before assuming the role of a caretaker boss in February 2015, taking over from Danny Wilson.
The Englishman took caretaker charge of the Tykes once again in February 2016, after the departure of Lee Johnson, before getting the job permanently. During his time at the helm at Oakwell, Heckingbottom led the Tykes to success in the Football League Trophy, before guiding the Reds to earn a promotion to the Championship via the Play-Offs.
Heckingbottom led Barnsley to a strong 14th place finish in the second tier of English football in the last campaign, on their return to the Championship and in total, has been in charge for over 100 games at Oakwell.
It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Leeds United with their new boss Paul Heckingbottom at the helm. Only time will tell whether he can guide the Peacocks to a playoff spot at the end of the current campaign.
