Heckingbottom looks set to leave Barnsley to become Leeds United’s new manager.
Leeds United are aiming to hire Barnsley’s Paul Heckingbottom as manager within the next 24 hours, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported on Monday afternoon.
It is claimed that Leeds have moved to activate a release clause inserted into the new contract Heckingbottom signed as recently as last Friday.
The lifelong Barnsley fan has worked wonders since taking the reins at Oakwell two years ago, initially on a temporary basis.
After winning the Football League Trophy and securing the Tykes’ promotion via the League One play-offs later that season, Heckingbottom was hired as Lee Johnson’s permanent successor and soon had Barnsley punching above their weight back in the second tier.
Heckingbottom has since seen a number of key players sold on – including Sam Winnall, Conor Hourihane and Marley Watkins – and results have taken a significant downturn, with Barnsley recording one win in their last 16 league matches to leave them a point above the bottom three.
And while some Reds fans are disappointed about the prospect of losing the 40-year-old – especially to one of their main Yorkshire rivals in Leeds United – many are unmoved by his anticipated departure.
Have Leeds got the right man in Heckingbottom?
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