OPINION
It is safe to say that Paul Heckingbottom’s tenure as manager of Leeds United has not got off to the best of starts.
The Whites have managed just two wins in 13 matches since the 40-year-old took over in early February, and that run of results has seen their slim play-off hopes disappear into thin air.
Heckingbottom has suffered some tough luck during his few months in charge at Elland Road so far, with injuries and suspensions hitting the squad hard.
However, the former Barnsley man has done little to suggest he has what it takes to lead such a club to promotion next season, with few tangible changes made around the club leading to limp performances on the pitch.
And, while his team have not yet given off the best impression on the pitch, Heckingbottom continues to do the same on the sidelines.
The 40-year-old is constantly complaining and pointing fingers elsewhere, giving off this air of untouchability when everyone else is acutely aware that his job is in danger.
His latest grievance has come against his former club Barnsley, who made their annoyance public when he decided to jump ship and take the Leeds job just a few days after signing a new deal at Oakwell.
A club statement said that they were ‘shocked and thoroughly disappointed’ at Heckingbottom’s decision, and claimed they had ‘worked tirelessly’ to secure his transfer targets in January.
Ahead of the two teams meeting this weekend, Heckingbottom has now slammed Barnsley for their reaction: “I didn’t speak about it too much then and I’m not going to speak about it too much now but it was bang out of order some of the things they said. They know that but they just wanted to save face I suppose,” he said, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
This is merely the latest in a long line of boring complaints from Heckingbottom, who seems unable to take responsibility for anything.
Barnsley had every right to be annoyed at him considering he had just agreed a new deal at Oakwell just days before, and that he had consistently spoken about how much he disliked Leeds.
Before the two teams met in November, Heckingbottom recalled his childhood and how much he ‘hated’ Leeds, saying they were a club that rammed their tradition down your throat.
No wonder Barnsley were annoyed at his decision to leave them so abruptly after such comments, and Heckingbottom is the one who is ‘bang out of order’ for him to be slamming the club in such a way now.
It was his decision to leave, and it is a decision he must take responsibility for.
Leeds fans must be getting bored out of their minds hearing such spiel come out of Heckingbottom’s mouth, and many are already calling for the 40-year-old to be sacked this summer.
Incidentally that outcome is looking likely, and it may be Barnsley who have the last laugh over their former boss.