Paul Heckingbottom finished Leeds United’s season with a win, but is he safe?
Speaking to The Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom is confident that he will still be in charge of the team in time for next season.
Leeds concluded a disappointing Championship campaign today by beating QPR 2-0 at Elland Road to finish 13th.
For so long this season it looked like United would at least finish in the playoff places, but the former Barnsley boss was unable to reinvigorate their promotion charge after taking over from Thomas Christiansen in February.
It was reported on Sunday that Heckingbottom – who has won only four of his 16 games in charge – could face the sack if United lost to Ian Holloway’s side today [The Sun, 06/05/2018, page 65].
Asked by The Yorkshire Evening Post whether owner Andrea Radrizzani wants to keep him, the 40-year-old said: “Yeah. The club came and got me so they know what I want to try and do, and how I want to set the team up.
“I’ve not changed my mind in how I want the team to play and what I want the team to look like.”
If he is retained, Heckingbottom must get off to a fine start next season. Radrizzani has previously demanded promotion to the Premier League, which cost Christiansen his job earlier this season, and if that prospect seems bleak by, say, October, then few would be surprised to see the Italian owner wield the axe.
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