Should Leeds consider going for Rui Faria?

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Rui Faria has broken away from Jose Mourinho and should Leeds United give him his start?

Let’s face it, Paul Heckingbottom hasn’t done a brilliant job at Leeds United since joining in February and plenty of fans of the Elland Road side wouldn’t shed tears if owner Andrea Radrizzani axed him.

It would be undoubtedly harsh, consdering the former Barnsley boss has only had 16 games in charge since replacing Thomas Christiansen, but only four of those were victories and even the most optimistic Leeds fan would struggle to find valid reasons as to why promotion to the Premier League is on the cards next term.

The Whites, who were seven points adrift of the playoffs when Christiansen was sacked, finished 15 points shy of the top six in the end. They have gone backwards and, if an attractive successor were to become available, Radrizzani should certainly keep an open mind about dismissing Heckingbottom.

And one interesting figure has just become available: Rui Faria.

Manchester United announced on the weekend that the 42-year-old, who spent 17 years as Jose Mourinho’s assistant, will leave the club this summer, with Mourinho himself adding that his friend is “ready for a successful career as a manager”.

The Portuguese also claimed that his compatriot has become a “football expert” whilst working under him and you wonder whether he could interest the West Yorkshire side.

On the one hand, hiring unproven, rookie managers is clearly a very big gamble, especially for those who have designs on Premier League promotion, but the gamble paid off for Middlesbrough when they hired Aitor Karanka – another student of Mourinho – so why would success for Faria be unfathomable?

Seventeen years of effectively studying under one of the game’s most distinguished coaches is a very long time and he is undoubtedly well equipped to now go out on his own.

Given his profile and experience, it’s inevitable that he will pick up his first senior managerial role soon and Leeds should at least consider the prospect of giving him his start.