Leeds United have sacked Paul Heckingbottom, just four months after he left Championship and Yorkshire rivals Barnsley for Elland Road.
And it’s not as if you can’t blame Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani for losing faith. Heckingbottom replaced Thomas Christiansen in February with the play-offs still within reach but the Whites only went backwards from then on – literally and metaphorically.
Heckingbottom won just four games in charge, failed to instil anything resembling a recognisable style of play and ended the season in the bottom half of the Championship. Looking back now, it’s tempting to wonder whether he will regret his decision to jump ship from Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in January.
Just four days after agreeing a new rolling contract at Oakwell, Heckingbottom was posing for photographs at Elland Road – a decision which left Barnsley understandably furious.
“Yes, it was unexpected,” chief executive Gaultier Ganaye said in quotes reported by the Mirror. “Yes, it will make things more difficult short term.”
By the end of the season, Barnsley were relegated to League One so supporters can still be forgiven for revelling in Heckingbottom’s sacking just a few miles up the road.
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