HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?
Mahrez STILL missing after collapse of City move, but Foxes are ready to forgive him
RIYAD MAHREZ is set to take his Leicester walk-out into a third week.
The Algerian will sidestep Saturday’s trip to Manchester City, whose £60million offer for him was rejected on transfer deadline day. Mahrez has been AWOL for over a week, missing two games after telling pals of his crushing disappointment. A friend
BARNSLEY have slammed Paul Heckingbottom for joining Leeds – just days after he signed a new contract at Oakwell.
He agreed a 17-month deal to become the new head coach at Elland Road yesterday and Barnsley feel let down because he only signed a new rolling contract with them on Friday.
They believe his shock departure adds to the uncertainty at Oakwell coming just a fortnight after the death of former owner Patrick Cryne as they battle for survival in the Championship. Heckingbottom has taken his first-team staff of Jamie Clapham, Nathan Wilder and Alex Bailey with him and they have appointed under-23s coach Paul Hartley as caretaker boss.
Barnsley chief executive Gauthier Ganaye felt the timing could hardly be worse after the club backed Heckingbottom in the transfer window, signing six players including Matt Mills from Nottingham Forest.
Ganaye defiantly insisted the Tykes, second from bottom in the Championship, can still stay up.
“Yes, it was unexpected,” he said. “Yes, it has come during an already complicated period.
“Yes, it will make things more difficult short-term. But our club is full of resources and it is not dependent on one man alone.
“I’m asking everyone from the players, employees and our loyal fans to come together as we have an important game on Saturday.”
Barnsley gave former player Heckingbottom his first coaching job at his home-town club and he led them to the double of promotion from League One and the Football League Trophy in 2016 before landing the job permanently.
He insisted he had no inkling of Leeds’ interest until after they sacked Thomas Christiansen (below) on Sunday night. Despite admitting he “hated” Leeds while growing up in Barnsley, Heckingbottom claimed he could not turn down them down when they activated his release clause of just under £500,000.
Heckingbottom, 40, who becomes Leeds’ ninth boss since May 2014, has been tasked with winning promotion and feels he deserves the role because of his success at Barnsley. His first game will be a Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday and he said: “This is something I’ve worked for.
“It’s a big opportunity with a big club and I’m delighted they think I’m the right man for the job.
“The way they talked to me, the way they outlined their plans for the future and the way they want to go about the job are in line with my own ideas.
“Everything about Leeds – its size, history and tradition – appeal to me and I aim to make the most of this chance. I can’t wait to get started.”