Leeds sack Paul Heckingbottom

Paul Heckingbottom has been sacked as Leeds head coach after less than four months in charge at Elland Road.

Reports had earlier linked former Argentina, Athletic Bilbao and Marseille manager Marcelo Bielsa with the role and it has now been confirmed that Heckingbottom has left the club.

The 40-year-old left Barnsley to take up the job in February and guided Leeds to a 13th-place finish in the Sky Bet Championship.

However, Heckingbottom guided Leeds to just four wins in 16 games after taking charge.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors at Leeds United I would like to thank Paul for the commitment and passion he has demonstrated since he joined the club earlier this year,” managing director Angus Kinnear said.

“Paul came to us during a difficult period in the season and has conducted himself in an exemplary manner despite results not going as any of us had hoped.

“Our objective is to bring in a head coach with more experience who can help us reach the goals we have talked about since we became custodians of the club last summer. We are confident of making a quick appointment and we thank our fans for their continued support.”

The Leeds statement confirmed that assistant manager Jamie Clapham, head of fitness Nathan Winder and analyst Alex Bailey will also leave the club, while set piece coach Gianni Vio will not have his contract renewed.

Heckingbottom succeeded Thomas Christiansen, who left the club on February 4.

(c) Sky News 2018: Leeds sack Paul Heckingbottom