Leeds United have identified current Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom as their first choice to become their new manager, according to a reliable journalist.
Yorkshire Evening Post’s chief football writer Phil Hay has claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Whites are prioritising the 40-year-old as they search for Thomas Christiansen’s successor.
It is understood that the Whites are trying to wrap up a deal by tonight (Monday) for the English manager to complete a switch to Elland Road.
Hay has explained that Heckingbottom only signed a new contract at Oakwell last week, but that there is a release clause in his Barnsley contract.
well aware of Barnsley's league position but there are a lot of people out there with good things to say about Heckingbottom's coaching ability. Signed a new contract last week but there's a release clause in it.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 5, 2018
Barnsley are currently 21st in the Championship table, but he is a highly-rated young manager and helped them earn promotion from League One in the past.
He has never managed anywhere else than his boyhood club, but Leeds have made him their first choice as they look for a swift managerial appointment in the wake of Christiansen’s exit on Sunday.
OPINION
Leeds’ decision to quickly try fill their vacant managerial role is a good one as the new man needs as much time as possible to try make a difference before upcoming fixtures with Sheffield United, Bristol City and Derby County. Heckingbottom is an interesting choice to appear on the Whites radar and there is no doubt the work he has done with Barnsley is to be commended. However, a move to Elland Road would be a big step in his mangerial career and he would be working under a completely new budget and atmosphere to his current job. A lot of Leeds fans are crying out for someone with Championship know-how to replace Christiansen and although his appointment would divide opinion, there is no doubt he has a lot of potential to succeed.