Rather than getting Paul Heckingbottom from Barnsley should Leeds have sacked Thomas Christiansen earlier and appointed Aitor Karanka?
Paul Heckingbottom during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Millwall and Barnsley.
Leeds United have announced that Paul Heckingbottom has left Barnsley to become their new manager following the sacking of Thomas Christiansen.
Christiansen was dismissed from the position he only took up over the summer following a 4-1 home defeat to Cardiff City – their fourth Championship defeat in their last six outings.
Thomas Christiansen leaves the field during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Leeds United.
Heckingbottom has now made the move across Yorkshire to become the new man in charge at Elland Road, but should the Whites’ hierarchy have pulled the trigger earlier to land a coach proven at getting teams out of this division?
That man is Aitor Karanka, who was appointed by Nottingham Forest on January 8 following their own axing of Mark Warburton.
Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match against Hull City.
Karanka was linked with Leeds by the Express, among other publications, before Christiansen took the job with the Spaniard having got Middlesbrough promoted to the Premier League just 12 months prior.
Also, by making the change at the start of the transfer window the new boss would have been able to implement his own changes to the squad, whereas Heckingbottom now has to work with what is already there.
Andrea Radrizzani, owner of Leeds United, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match against Bristol City.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
