Leeds United boss waits to hear if he is to stay in charge

With the 2013-14 season now over attention is turning to preparations for Leeds United’s next campaign with the first big decision concerning who exactly will be in charge of the team.
Brian McDermott applauds the fans at the end of Leeds United's final game of the season. Picture: Bruce RollinsonBrian McDermott applauds the fans at the end of Leeds United's final game of the season. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Brian McDermott applauds the fans at the end of Leeds United's final game of the season. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

At the end of a difficult first full season as manager Brian McDermott appeared to be in the dark about his future after the final day 1-1 draw with Derby County on Saturday.

Comments from owner Massimo Cellino did not completely clear his position up either, but it does appear that talks are set to take place over the next week after which it should become clearer which direction the Whites are going to be heading in.

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Cellino believes the pressure got to McDermott during the long drawn out takeover battle, but despite his record with managers at his Italian club, Cagliari, he was not in a rush to name a new Leeds boss.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, he said: “I must be 100 per cent confident with my coach.

“I must have a coach that is very good on the field and helps me manage by choosing players.

“I am looking for that and then when the season starts, I must be sure – if it’s McDermott or anyone else – that we must not be insecure.

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“He wasn’t ready to manage the club. He was maybe a good coach but did not have enough managerial experience to manage a confusing situation like the one he found at Leeds.

“I think the pressure at the club got too much for him.

“We will let things cool down and be a little bit more rational. I think in the next seven to ten days we will be ready to talk about the future.

“We cannot waste money on changing managers. If I need to face that with Brian, I need to be sure because we cannot change managers at regular cost to the club.

“We need to talk and figure it out personally between me and Brian.”

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McDermott has boosted his cause with improved results at the back end of the season, three wins and a draw in their last five matches helping the Whites to finish in 15th, ahead of Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley as the top Yorkshire side in the division.

He reiterated his desire to be given a chance to rebuild the team in the summer and believes United’s future is exciting, particularly with the continued backing of supporters he has been blown away by since arriving at Elland Road.

He said: “I think with the army that we’ve got behind us you’ve always got a chance. Those fans can take this club anywhere.

“We’ve just got to get it right on the pitch. We’ve just got to have a year where everyone is going in the same direction. Get the right squad together, who knows, anything could happen.

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“You go into the season with new players with the pre-season planning done and where we’re going to travel to, the pre-season games. And we need to be doing that pretty quickly.

“This club needs a stable environment so I have got to speak to the owner and see what happens next.

“All I know at the moment is that I am itching to get planning and preparing for next season.”