Leeds owner says he was looking for an experienced manager

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani has admitted he was looking for an experienced manager before he was persuaded to hand Paul Heckingbottom the managerial reins.

Leeds wasted no time and appointed Heckingbottom, who has only ever managed Barnsley, on an 18-month contract on Tuesday, just 48 hours after Thomas Christiansen was axed at Elland Road.

The Barnsley chief had only just penned a new extension to his deal at Oakwell, but when Radrizzani came calling it was too good an opportunity to turn down.

And the Leeds chief is certain Heckingbottom, 40, has the motivation and mentality to succeed, despite his lack of experience.

Speaking to Sky Sports News,  Radrizzani said: “We needed to have a coach with personality. For a moment I thought maybe I want someone with more experience, more seasons behind him, someone like a [Claudio] Ranieri kind of manager, but he’s obviously busy in France.

“I felt the players are a little bit stressed when they go into games, and in the first phase of the game they concede so many chances to the opposing team it means something is wrong in their mentality and approach to the game.

“I wanted to bring experience to calm them, but then after I have seen Paul’s background, I have been convinced this lack of experience can be compensated by his personality and motivation.”