This was a rather controversial move, wasn’t it? In early February 2018, Paul Heckingbottom was announced as the new Leeds United head coach, moving from Barnsley. The appointment came just days after Heckingbottom had signed a new deal with the Reds.
Heckingbottom was taking over the reins from Thomas Christiansen who had departed after less than a year in charge at Elland Road. It is safe to say that Heckingbottom’s arrival left lots of Leeds fans quite sceptical about the move. Considering his past with local rivals Barnsley and the fact he’d told the Yorkshire Evening Post that he’d HATED the Whites when growing, it was a pretty controversial move.
I hope this one works out.. massive gamble but im behind him 100% until he gives me reason not to be.. #MOT
— ROSSii (@MrROSSii1990) February 6, 2018
All the best, will need a fair bit of luck along the way!
— Rich Denby (@RUSTYBLACKHEART) February 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/m1lrs/status/960840960711172098
Announce relegation
— Ben Faulkner (@Ben__Faulkner) February 6, 2018
I’m not feeling confident but then again I haven’t since we left the prem. good luck to him only time will tell hopefully we can get some good results and move us forward for playoff spots MOT
— Phillip Russell (@Phillip02479740) February 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/jamesb338/status/960893127463665668
It was not all doubts though as others chose to look past that and wished him well in charge of United.
English.. knows the league… has fight about him… done well with Barnsley with a lower budget… don't get people's problem
— Simon (@Simmo_1989) February 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/RazzaMOT91/status/960839708690583552
Good, let’s gerron with it! Yorkshireman in charge of Leeds I can live with that.
— Harvey Rad (@Harvey_123) February 6, 2018
Heckingbottom was sacked after under four months in charge following a 13th placed finish in the Championship. He was then replaced by Marcelo Bielsa two weeks later and the Argentine’s arrival has completely transformed the club for the better.
Although Heckingbottom’s appointment may not have been what was needed at the time, everything happens for a reason and that has eventually lead to Bielsa’s spell in West Yorkshire, which is going swimmingly well. Perhaps he was the bridge needed between the old era and the kind of progressive thinking that brought Biesla to West Yorkshire.
Leeds fans probably won’t want to admit it, but perhaps he was a necessary appointment.
