Leeds United only appointed Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager at the start of February but following a disappointing run of results since then, his position could already be under threat when the Championship season comes to a close this weekend.
The Yorkshire outfit sacked Thomas Christiansen following a dreadful run of form that had seen them go from automatic promotion contenders to mid-table mediocrity, but things haven’t really improved too much since the former Barnsley boss arrived as they currently lie 15 points from the play-off positions, and 16 points above the relegation zone.
The 2-1 defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday was the Whites’ eighth in 15 league games – of which they have won only four – since the 40-year-old took charge and the Elland Road faithful are far from impressed with their boss on Twitter and want him to go.
Despite the disappointing end to what has been another disastrous campaign for United, there will still be some players that will be feeling good under their manager, and will hope that his reign lasts longer than beyond Sunday.
Here are three Leeds players that will be praying Heckingbottom stays this summer…
Following a disappointing loan spell with York City towards the end of 2017, Peacock-Farrell would have been fearing for his long-term Leeds future with progression to the starting XI appearing unlikely.
However, following a loss of form for Felix Wiedwald and an injury to Andy Lonergan, he was handed his debut for the Yorkshire outfit by Heckingbottom back in March, and he hasn’t looked back since after making nine appearances in a row.
The 21-year-old will know that he now has a real chance to establish himself as the club’s first-choice next season if his current manager stays, but that may not be the case if a new man was to arrive at Elland Road and wanted someone with more experience between the sticks.
Despite the fact that he was suspended following his second red card of the season when Heckingbottom took charge, the 40-year-old decided to retain Cooper as captain at least for the remainder of the campaign.
While his discipline will perhaps sometimes be brought into question, the 26-year-old has often done well enough alongside Pontus Jansson at the back when both have been fit, but Leeds fans will remember back to last season when he wasn’t a regular at all.
While Heckingbottom could be tempted to keep the faith with his skipper again next season, a new manager may feel that the Yorkshire outfit need a better defensive partner for Jansson if they are to achieve promotion next term, and maybe even a new captain, too.
Despite not really being at his best all season – and especially since Heckingbottom arrived at Elland Road – Phillips has continued to be a regular in the middle of the park for Leeds.
The former Barnsley boss obviously feels that the 22-year-old has something about him and is ready to trust him, and a player will always feel good when they know that they have the confidence of their manager.
Phillips will certainly count himself lucky that he has started so many matches in recent times given his drop off in form, but he started to repay Heckingbottom with a brilliant goal against Norwich last weekend, and he will want to continue to do that in the future.
Do you agree, Leeds fans? Let us know below.
