Paul Heckingbottom’s first Leeds United game ended in defeat on Saturday.
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has told The Sheffield Star that he believes Paul Heckingbottom will prove a “big success” at Leeds United eventually.
Wilder’s side beat Leeds 2-1 on Saturday for what was Heckingbottom’s first game since replacing Thomas Christiansen in West Yorkshire last week.
Early days but the Whites – who had lost four and drawn two of their last six Championship games prior to Heckingbottom’s arrival – showed signs of improvement and were undone by a 73rd-minute Billy Sharp penalty.
The 40-year-old led Barnsley to a ninth-placed finish in his first full season with the Tykes last term.
And Wilder believes that the young manager is well equipped to succeed at Elland Road in the long run.
He told The Sheffield Star: “This was a difficult game for us.
“I know Paul well and he’s had an outstanding start to his managerial career. I’m sure he’ll be a big success at Leeds, he’s a good football man. I know what he brings and what he’ll bring to the football club.”
It gets no easier for Heckingbottom, whose side face promotion-chasing Bristol City and Derby County over the next nine days in a run of games that will probably shape their season.
Two defeats and Leeds – eight points adrift of the playoff spots – are unlikely to finish in the top six, but two wins could put them firmly back in contention.
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