LEEDS GO FOR HECKINGBOTTOM

LEEDS UNITED have turned to Barnsley’s Paul Heckingbottom to replace sacked manager Thomas Christiansen. Heckingbottom (right) only signed a new Barnsley contract on Friday but the deal contained a buyout clause which Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani will meet. Heckingbottom said in November that he ‘hated’ Leeds when growing up as a Barnsley fan in South Yorkshire. But he was included on the shortlist drawn up by Leeds following Christiansen’s sacking on Sunday. Heckingbottom’s first game in charge would be Saturday’s derby at Sheffield United.