MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 18:09:29| >> :120:21728:21728:

Steve Claridge: 'Leeds United missed an opportunity by not hiring Neil Redfearn'

Steve Claridge believes that Leeds United should have offered Neil Redfearn a permanent contract, rather than appointing Darko Milanic.

Steve Claridge has said that Leeds United should have installed Neil Redfearn as their permanent manager rather than bringing in Darko Milanic.

Redfearn picked up 10 points from a possible twelve in the league during his spell as caretaker manager, but Massimo Cellino opted to install Milanic as the club's boss instead.

The former Sturm Graz coach arrived at Elland Road on Tuesday and lost 2-0 to Brentford in his first game in charge - a result which would have been less likely had Redfearn still been at the helm, according to Claridge.

"He had such a dramatic effect," Claridge told BBC Sport. "You do get the feeling, certainly from a Leeds perspective, that sometimes the answer is right under your nose and they've overlooked it.

"You do think maybe that was an opportunity missed with Neil Redfearn."

Leeds are currently 13th in the Championship following four wins, four losses and a draw from their opening nine games.

ID:179410: cacheID:179410:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2298:
Written by
Kristian Johnson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Maribor's head coach Darko Milanic looks on prior to the start of the UEFA Europa League football match NK Maribor vs. S.S. Lazio in Maribor, on December 6, 2012
Read Next:
Preview: Brentford vs. Leeds
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd22155232112148
2Leeds UnitedLeeds22136341152645
3Burnley2212822891944
4Sunderland22127334181643
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2111462518737
6Middlesbrough22105738281035
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom22811326161035
8Watford2110473028234
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds229582830-232
10Millwall217772118328
11Swansea CitySwansea227692424027
12Bristol City226972628-227
13Norwich CityNorwich226883734326
14Queens Park RangersQPR2251072328-525
15Luton TownLuton2274112538-1325
16Derby CountyDerby2266102728-124
17Coventry CityCoventry2266102834-624
18Preston North EndPreston2241172229-723
19Stoke CityStoke2257102330-722
20Portsmouth204882535-1020
21Hull City2247112131-1019
22Cardiff CityCardiff2146111934-1518
23Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2146112137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2146112245-2318


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!