STEVE EVANS
The Mansfield manager reflects on Paul Heckingbottom’s Leeds switch
ONE of the top six giants of English football, my former club Leeds United, have recently appointed a new manager/head coach – and I’m backing Paul Heckingbottom to succeed.
Thomas Christiansen gave it his best shot but failed to build on last season’s campaign under Garry Monk. United were outstanding last term until falling away in the final two months.
Hecky has come in from Barnsley and I really wish him the best of luck.
I know he has come in for a bit of flak from some Tykes fans for leaving the club for one of their closest rivals, but I hope those fans appreciate the job he did while he was in charge.
It won’t have been an easy decision for him to leave his boyhood team, but when Leeds United come calling it’s difficult for anyone to turn them down.
Supportive
I was in touch with Hecky leading up to him getting the job and I gave him the advice to grab that position at such an iconic football club.
Believe me, he will get the support internally that he needs. The Leeds United greats, like Peter Lorimer, Eddie Gray, Norman Hunter and Gordon Strachan, were all fantastic and supportive when I was the gaffer there and they will be for the new man they are desperate for the great times to be back at Elland Road.
I am told the new chairman and owner Andrea Radrizzani is fantastic to work with and that is a blessing, considering some of us had to work with Massimo Cellino!
The single biggest plus at Leeds United is the supporters – they are incredible. They turn up in huge numbers and make every match feel like a home game.
When that ‘Marching on Together’ anthem is sang, it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Those same supporters will give Hecky every chance and back him to the hilt. Good luck, mate!