GFH may have been planning to keep Neil Redfearn in charge until the end of the season before appointing the next manager, but as we continue to plummet down the table, can we afford to wait that long?

The club have compiled a shortlist of potential replacements, which does not include Redfearn, but initially stated that the arrival of Warnock’s successor might wait until the summer. But the performance on Saturday was no improvement on the dispirited football we had to suffer in the final days of Warnock, and it’s clear that Redfearn doesn’t see himself as the man to lift Leeds out of our depressing run of defeats.

On Saturday he made it perfectly clear that he wasn’t interested in taking the job on a permanent basis and today he told the Yorkshire Post “It’s not an ideal situation. For me it was one game at a time and I said I’d help out. There’s no way I was going to duck away from that. But the bottom line for the club, perhaps, is that it would be better for them if it (the selection of a new manager) was sooner rather than later.”

It’s becoming clear that although Redfearn is a good coach for the Academy, he isn’t cut out to be a first team manager, seemingly lacking the kind of forceful personality needed to inspire the players in a difficult situation. His spell as temporary boss last season was unimpressive, with his only win coming against nine man Bristol City, and with his opening game this time being another loss, it’s starting to look like we need another man in charge to stop the rot.

In most seasons our current points total of 52 would comfortably be enough to keep us clear of relegation, but with the division being so tight this season we are now sitting uncomfortably only five points above the drop zone, with several of the clubs beneath us in better form than we are. Saturday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday is starting to look crucial, so ideally we need to make an appointment before then.

This would obviously limit our choice of new manager to those immediately available, as we wouldn’t have time to negotiate a compensation deal with another club. But we need to get Brian McDermott or Martin O’Neill in straight away, as if we leave the appointment until the summer, the new man might be starting out with Leeds United back in League One.

Photo: Action Images

Bluesman added 15:59 - Apr 8 I am convinced that the club's plan is to keep Leeds out of the Premiership for at least another three seasons! It may make financial sense if there is a compensation package for the previous owner if we go up. Going into Division 1 for a couple of seasons may suit some people. Has anyone ever known a decent club leave the team without a manager when there is a distinct possibility of them being demoted? No, it does not make sense unless GFH are not too bothered!!!

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