Beattie looks set to be in charge during Leeds’ clash with Derby County this weekend.
With the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting that Garry Monk is set to serve a one-match touchline ban, while his assistant Pep Clotet is awaiting the birth of his child, it appears that there is a strong chance that James Beattie could be Leeds United’s most senior face in the dugout when they take on Derby County this weekend.
Beattie only has a small amount of managerial experience, having taken charge of just over 50 games with League Two side Accrington Stanley.
One of those games saw the retired Premier League striker take his side to Elland Road for a League Cup tie in 2014. But with just three of United’s starting 11 still with the club two years on, just what became of the side that handed Dave Hockaday his first win following his surprise appointment that summer?
Stuart Taylor
The two-time Premier League winner spent much of his only season with Leeds as Marco Silvestri’s understudy. After just three Championship appearances – including a calamitous league debut against Charlton – the 35-year-old was unsurprisingly released in 2015. He’s now back in the top flight however, after joining Southampton this summer.
Gaetano Berardi
Speaking of calamitous debuts, Gaetano Berardi certainly made a name for himself the first time he took to the pitch for Leeds. The full-back was sent off in the final minutes against Accrington after a wild aerial challenge. The Swiss defender recovered from the rocky start – he was also sent off in his fourth game for the club – and now enjoys cult-hero status amongst the supporters.
Jason Pearce
Following Ross McCormack’s departure, Pearce was made captain in the summer. He was replaced by Stephen Warnock just a couple of months later and left for Wigan in January 2015 having made 99 league appearances for the Whites. Despite helping the Latics secure promotion to the Championship last season, he remained in League One by joining Charlton Athletic in August.
Scott Wootton
Scott Wootton scoring an own goal against Watford
The versatile defender left Leeds this summer after a disappointing season where he really struggled to find any form and committed several mistakes along the way. He made a dream start to life with MK Dons when he scored the stoppage-time winner on his league debut. Sadly, the dream has already turned sour after he suffered an injury that is set to keep him out for the next nine months (via club’s official website).
Charlie Taylor
In fairness to Dave Hockaday, he was the head coach that reintroduced Taylor to the Leeds first-team following his successful loan spell at Fleetwood the previous season, though he had to wait until after Hockaday had been sacked before he became a regular. He remains a key man for the side, but it remains to be seen just how long he remains with the Yorkshire side.
Michael Tonge
The 33-year-old had become a fringe player by the time the 2014/15 campaign had begun. During the following January window, he departed for Millwall on loan before signing for Stevenage once his Leeds contract expired that summer.
Tommaso Bianchi
Tommaso Bianchi
The midfielder never really got to show Leeds supporters what he was capable of as injuries plagued his time in England. He joined Ascoli on loan in January 2016, and while he marked his debut for the Serie B side with a red card, he clearly did enough to earn a permanent deal.
Lewis Cook
Hockaday also perhaps deserves some credit for being brave enough to hand 17-year-old Lewis Cook his debut on the opening day of the 2014/15 season. He would make his first senior start against Accrington. And by the time the academy graduate departed for Bournemouth during the recent summer window, he had convinced every Leeds fan that he was good enough for the highest level.
Nicky Ajose
Nicky Ajose only made three league appearances for Leeds before joining Crewe on loan. An impressive spell at Gresty Road did nothing for his position in the pecking order and his contract was terminated in 2015. A brilliant season with Swindon, where he scored 22 goals in 33 games, earned him a move to Charlton this summer.
Souleymane Doukara
Leeds’ victory on the night came thanks to Souleymane Doukara’s brace. And while most would have avoided getting carried away given the standard of the opposition, it appeared that the French-born forward could be something special after taking both goals wonderfully well. Unfortunately, he has failed to really kick on and has only shown that brilliance occasionally. He remains with Leeds but appears to be well down the pecking order.
Matt Smith
Matt Smith
His appearance against Accrington would be one of Matt Smith’s last for Leeds as he joined Fulham before the summer window closed. He remains at Craven Cottage but did enjoy an excellent loan spell at Bristol City at one stage. His exit left many supporters perplexed as he boasted a good goalscoring record during his time with the Whites, and undoubtedly gave the side an extra dimension.
Used Substitutes:
Zan Benedicic
Injury cut the midfielder’s loan spell short. He returned to Italy, but perhaps surprisingly joined Leyton Orient this summer.
Noel Hunt
The striker failed to score a single goal for Leeds. He joined Ipswich on loan before making the move permanent in 2015. Hunt is now playing for League Two side Portsmouth.
Dominic Poleon
The academy graduate followed McCormack and Smith out the door shortly after the Accrington win. After a spell with Oldham, he joined AFC Wimbledon this summer, where he’s made a very bright start.
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