Firstly, hats off to Redfearn who has gone about the job quietly and skilfully. To get all the new players on board, playing like a team, with real determination, in just a couple of weeks, is quite an achievement.
Other teams will be taking note of this and they will see that when Redfearn has taken the helm, he has done a very good job. He just looks and sounds like he knows what he is doing, without blowing his trumpet.
I find it hard to believe, though, that he will be happy to return to the Academy after having a taste of coaching the first team. It's like filling in for your boss, and then having to go back to your old job a few weeks later.
A couple of more wins from Redfearn and I think there will be no going back to the Academy, one way or the other. Interested to hear other points of view on this, though.
The Redfearn question
posted on 17/9/14
Echo that Buddy always thought a lot of our problems have been with managers bringing poor coaches with them but if hes in charge Sat & we win which we should well big decision for El Presidente.
MOT
posted on 17/9/14
Problem we have with Redders is that Cellino doesn't want to lose him from the academy
What if we made him first team coach and we go on a winless run in November no doubt we'd sack him
Would it be that easy to say ok you tried your best now back to the academy
posted on 18/9/14
We need a new coach asap but not Redders. We do not want to lose him from the Academy and he will always be able to step in when Cellino sacks the new coach. From his track record he will sack at least 2 per season. We need stability and respect from the youngsters and the Academy is a very useful income generator for the club. Add up the value of Byram, Cook and Mowatt. The sales we already have had from such as Delph, Lees & Poleon. Keep Redders for the long haul, he will be off down the road in 6 months if he takes over the first team.
posted on 18/9/14
Redfearn is on record as not wanting it.
I think he enjoys working in the academy, and being out the limelight.
No problem with giving him some time, without pressure for the immediate future.
posted on 18/9/14
I think he has more value as the academy coach. He has proven his worth as a stand in coach, this could be important if MC is going to be going through a high rate of coaches.
posted on 18/9/14
I don't think Redfearn is the right man for the job although I acknowledge he's doing a super job. He's come on leaps and bounds from when he's held the reins before.
His long-term value lies with the development of the youth.
From the speculation out there it does seem that Cellino has options. This won't be popular and I wouldn't have said this before......, but......., maybe O'Leary without the managerial responsibilities wouldn't be a bad appointment.
Before he got carried away with building an expensive squad he was an an excellent advocate of youth development and we were playing bloody good football.
posted on 18/9/14
Good point Hock, once Redfearn has experienced some success as head coach, will he still want to go back?
If I was Cellino I would tell him he has until x date, win or lose his academy job is safe, but if he wins x amount of points by that date he can go for first team coach and he'll guarantee him x amount of time in the job.
We're not playing brilliantly all match for last 3 matches but have found a way to pick up points, I wouldn't change anything around that at the moment.
posted on 18/9/14
No, leave him with the academy there's a lot of trust built there with Neil so IMO it'd be foolish to rock the academy boat, cellino has said he wants the head coach & Neil to work together which seems the sensible approach to me the kids enjoy working with him so let him carry on, I would like cellino to help Neil to make the academy the top notch it used to be before the cockroaches set in....on a personal level fook the big money signings I would love it if in say 5 years time the first team had say 7/8 kids playing from the academy....that would make me feel proud to be leeds...not that I'm not already but I'd be the icing on the cake for me....
posted on 18/9/14
I think Redders is getting slightly over-hyped here. He's passionate about the kids and has come in to steady the ship with the 1st team - great.
But, we should be producing kids who are up there with Lennon, Delph & Milner.
Redders has developed Byram (needs to learn to defend and get a run of games again, jury's still out), Mowatt (personally, not convinced he'll progress beyond the champ), Cook (long way to go) and Poleon (terrible).
I'm not saying it's all on him - the head coach can only go as far as his remit & financial support will allow. But let's not start hailing him as the new Dario Gradi.
I think it's a great move to keep him within the club, if that's what he's happy to do. He'll ensure continuity within the squads and hopefully start working with whoever comes in to develop a new 'leeds way' of playing. Plus, Cellino will be sacking our new coach before the end of the season, and at least we know it'll be a safe pair of hands taking us through the matches after!
posted on 18/9/14
Well said London.