Dave Hockaday wanted Andre Gray at Leeds United

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Hockaday was the first Leeds manager of Massimo Cellino’s spell of ownership at the club.

Dave Hockaday has claimed in an interview with the Guardian that he told then-Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino to sign an up-and-coming Andre Gray from Luton Town – only for Cellino to say no.

Hockaday was the first of Leeds’ many managers under Italian owner Cellino, who was known for his eccentric, controversial approach to club ownership.

Lured north from Forest Green Rovers, Hockaday lasted just 70 days as the club’s head coach after a poor start to the 2014-15 campaign. Hockaday managed just six matches in charge, losing four and winning two.

Now in charge of male football at South Gloucestershire and Stroud college (SGS), Hockaday reflected on the time he was asked to sign a young, unknown striker with resale value. He suggested Gray, but got Mirco Antenucci instead.

“He [Cellino] said: ‘Go and get me a young, unproven striker that will score goals and we can sell on,’” Hockaday said. “I said: ‘Andre Gray.’

“A few days later, he said: ‘No, I’ve spoken to him and his agent, he’s too much.’ I said: ‘From Luton to Leeds United, and he’s too much?’ Later into the season, he goes and gets [Mirco] Antenucci for millions of pounds.”

Gray scored 55 goals in 106 games for Luton, and instead of moving to Leeds he joined Brentford for just £500,000 (BBC). Another 20 goals for the Bees in his first season, and a move to Burnley came about – for £11million.

The goals continued to flow and in the summer of 2017, Gray secured a move to Watford for a club-record fee worth £18.5million (BBC). Meanwhile, Antenucci was somewhat of a success at Leeds with 19 goals in 80 appearances.

Now at 34 years of age, Antenucci remains at the top of his game as captain of Serie A side SPAL. But Hockaday might have been given a bit longer in charge had his wishes to sign Gray been met.