The Leeds Revolution

Article by e-Leeds Correspondent Alex Schroeter

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McDermott's exit at one point or another was inevitable, however what concerned me was who Cellino would replace him with. Plenty of names have been thrown about from Claudio Ranieri, recently relieved of his duties at Monaco, to Dave Hockaday, recently sacked by Forest Green Rovers.

More names have made me concerned than excited, in particular Paolo Di Canio who has shown in two managerial spells that he has an element of managerial ability, although that is overshadowed by his antics, tactical naivety and a likeness to a child in a sweet shop in regard to his transfer policy - get as many players as the owner lets him. Thankfully, Di Canio's representatives have come out recently to say that Leeds have not contacted them, suggesting that this will remain a rumour. I certainly hope it remains a rumour, anyway.

Another candidate who I do not think will get the job is Gianfranco Zola, as a result of an apparently poor relationship with Cellino from a spell at Cagliari just before his retirement. However, Zola is familiar with the English game, has an attractive brand of football as well as guiding Watford to the

Championship play-off final in 2013, so if Cellino could be persuasive enough, Zola may be interested in a return to management with one of the bigger clubs in the country. I, for one, would not object to his appointment.

There are a handful of stand out favourites for the job, as well as a few interesting outsiders who have emerged in the past few days.

The first, Gianluca Festa who was first linked with the manager's job the first time McDermott was sacked, and speculation has now started again and is the clear favourite, again, to take the position. The 45 year-old former centre-back had a mixed career, featuring for Italian giants Internazionale and Roma, although he was better known for his spells at Middlesbrough and Cagliari (He also held a couple of coaching roles at Cagliari), hence his strong relationship with Cellino and link with the Leeds job.

He is currently the manager of Lumezzane, who play in Lega Pro Prima Divisione, the Italian third tier. In two seasons, he has guided them to 8th and 14th place finishes which does not inspire a great deal of confidence. Festa would certainly not be my first choice, although I can see potential from his time at Lumezzane, as well as a familiarity with the English game meaning it may not be disastrous, but someone with more experience coaching or managing in England may be more suitable, for example Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Hasselbaink's managerial and coaching career has gone somewhat under the radar thus far, however he has emerged as an interesting candidate who could thrive at Leeds, particularly in the more continental set up in the role of Head Coach, as opposed to manager. After a very successful playing career, including two seasons at Elland Road between 1997-1999 where he managed 34 league goals, he went in to coaching, gaining a role at Nottingham Forest before taking the Manager's job at Royal Antwerp in

the Belgian second division. He recorded an average win percentage of 40.6%, with an average of 1.53 points per game which is very promising for his first job as a manager, despite only finishing in seventh which was considered slightly below par. However, Hasselbaink's previous connection and success with Leeds may work in his favour as far as the fans are concerned, although he is not British which appears to be requirement as far as what Cellino is looking for apparently.

He was vastly experienced as a player, playing for the Netherlands 23 times as well as several seasons in the Premier League and La Liga with top teams, which could only help with our younger players. Even if he is not handed the main job, I would perhaps like to see him giving some sort of coaching role, whether it is alongside Redfearn and Carbone in the youth teams or as a first team coach, hopefully alongside my preferred candidate, Roberto Di Matteo.

A move for Di Matteo may be seen as ambitious but he may just be what we are looking for. As a player, the 44-year-old played in midfield at the highest levels for Lazio, Chelsea and Italy, for whom he won 34 caps. As a manager he has enjoyed as much, if not more success, especially at Chelsea.

His first manager's position at MK Dons ended in defeat in the play-off final after a very impressive regular league campaign. This lead to him being given the job of manager at West Brom where he guided them to promotion back to the Premier League in his first season before being fired halfway through the following season, although West Brom remained reasonably clear of the relegation zone. He was then appointed as Andre Villas Boas' assistant coach, before taking on the interim manager's position after Villas Boas' dismissal, and he somehow guided them to both the FA Cup and Champions League titles. Despite performing what some considered a miracle turn around, he was fired just six months after winning the Champions League and has yet to return to management.

Di Matteo may relish the chance to return to management, particularly at a club with such potential as Leeds, and many would welcome his brand of stylish football whilst encouraging the use of young players, which is also a key part of what Cellino wants to achieve at Leeds. He would be a fantastic appointment, although finances may prove to be a significant sticking point and may not want to drop back into the Championship considering he won the Champions League in his last job.

Even though a plethora of Italians and some others have been linked to the Leeds manager's job, Cellino has now said that he would prefer an English coach at the helm, which has thrown up a few interesting names.

First, Tim Sherwood who hardly deserved to be sacked as manager of Tottenham would no doubt be a popular choice. He extracted far more goals out of his team that Villas Boas managed as well as getting the best out of a few of their fringe players, notably Harry Kane and Emmanuel Adebayor. Again, Sherwood encouraged positive, passing football with Eriksen being at the heart of it. Aa similar system could be used at Leeds with Mowatt or even Dawson. In interviews he has been keen to get back into management so may be willing to drop down a league, although we would appear to face strong competition from West Brom.

Another option could be Malky Mackay, who Warnock had apparently lined up to be his replacement at Leeds before he was fired. He proved that with the right funds and players he could comfortably get us promoted and given a chance keep us in the Premier League, as Cardiff looked likely to escape a relegation scrap before he was fired. He is a far more likely option than Sherwood and also has an attractive brand of football which seems to be something that Cellino wants judging by the candidates for the job. I would welcome old Malk' with open arms and be very optimistic about our chances of promotion.

Whoever is handed the job will have the ever-present pressure from the Elland Road crowd, but should they push us towards those play-off, or even automatic promotion spots they will definitely have the support of the fans. If the fans are happy, then surely Cellino would be as we are a notoriously difficult crowd to please. The Italian has said that he will make 'significant funds' available to the boss, when they come in and many will hope that we can keep hold of our prized assets, particularly Byram and McCormack, from the likes of West Brom and Newcastle United, with the latter having already having had a bid rejected, according to Cellino.

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