Evans won many supporters over during his time with Leeds United.
On October 21st 2015, Steve Evans took charge of Leeds United for the first time. At the time of his appointment, few would have imagined that one of the most divisive managers in the game would end up endearing himself to supporters by the time his tenure came to an end the following year.
However, Evans arguably managed to do just yet. And while there was a sense of inevitability about his departure at the end of last season, it was still met with a strong sense of disappointment amongst the Elland Road faithful.
With that in mind, here is a look at Evans’ tenure, along with some of the defining images from his time in charge.
Evans applauds the Leeds fans at the end of the match against Fulham
In the wake of Leeds’ defeat at home to Brighton, Massimo Cellino got rid of Uwe Rosler and swiftly replaced him with the man who had only recently left relegation candidates Rotherham United.
Chris Wood equalised in Evans’ first game in charge
His tenure would begin with a credible draw away at Fulham. A Chris Wood penalty cancelled out Moussa Dembele’s opener. Perhaps the most encouraging sign was the fact that the free-scoring Cottagers only managed to put one past a leaky Leeds defence.
Evans celebrates with Gaetano Berardi after the victory over Cardiff
Evans’ first win came against Cardiff in early November. While a 1-0 victory against the Bluebirds will not go down in history as one of Leeds’ most important wins, it was perhaps one of the most important of Evans’ spell as it was the club’s first win in front of their own fans since March.
Leeds United’s Chris Wood and Mirco Antenucci celebrate after the Huddersfield win
They followed that victory up with another in the Yorkshire derby away at Huddersfield. After a close first-half, Chris Wood and Mirco Antenucci put United 2-0 up in stoppage-time before Alex Mowatt – whose stunner had been the difference against Cardiff – bagged another long-range goal of the season contender in the second-half. The Terriers would get revenge however.
Leeds Uinted players celebrate scoring their second goal against Hull
While the Huddersfield win was a contender, there was perhaps no better display from Evans’ men than the one they put together against Hull in December. The promotion-chasing Tigers were stunned as Wood and Tom Adeyemi handed Leeds a 2-0 lead at the break.
And while that advantage would be halved, United would hold on for an impressive win that would signal the beginning of an eight-match unbeaten run that would take Leeds to 13th in the table and into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Brighton’s Tomer Hemed celebrates scoring their first goal against Leeds
After an indifferent spell shortly after the New Year, Evans appeared to possibly be on the brink after Leeds were thrashed by Brighton in February. A goalless second-half saved the Peacocks from further embarrassment after the Seagulls had put four past Silvestri in the first-half.
Evans during the 4-1 defeat against Huddersfield
As previously mentioned, Huddersfield would secure revenge in their rematch following the meeting in November. Leeds’ three-match winning run looked like it may be about to be extended when Stuart Dallas put them ahead. However, David Wagner’s men would silence Elland Road with four goals.
Four games without a win would all but end Leeds’ slim play-off hopes, but Evans was still fighting to prove himself worthy of staying beyond the end of the season.
Leeds’ Stuart Dallas bagged a brace at Birmingham
His team put up a brave fight. A 2-1 win away at Birmingham largely crushed the Blues’ top six dream and proved to be the beginning of a three-match winning run.
Leeds would end the campaign without a win in three. A draw at Preston on the final day was only notable for the reception Evans received from the travelling Leeds fans. If the seemingly inevitable was going to happen, they wanted to make sure he knew how appreciated his contribution had been.
Unsurprisingly, that would prove to be Evans’ final game in charge at Leeds. Although most fans would have taken Garry Monk over the Scotsman had they known he was a contender for the job, there is no doubt that Evans went up in most Leeds supporters’ estimation enormously during his time at the helm.
United had been 18th and seemingly destined for a relegation battle when he took over, but he not only alleviated those concerns quickly, but for a brief time, Leeds were only a few victories away from being genuine outsiders for a play-off place.
And while Monk appears to be on the right track, some United fans will wonder where Evans could have taken the team had he been given time and a full summer window.
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