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Leeds United’s Darko Milanic sacked after defeat by Wolves in sixth game Leeds United’s Darko Milanic sacked after defeat by Wolves in sixth game
(about 1 hour later)
Leeds United’s controversial owner, Massimo Cellino, has apologised to fans after sacking his third manager in five months – with the latest, Darko Milanic, lasting just 32 days in the job.Leeds United’s controversial owner, Massimo Cellino, has apologised to fans after sacking his third manager in five months – with the latest, Darko Milanic, lasting just 32 days in the job.
Cellino – famously dubbed “the manager eater” in Italy for sacking 36 Cagliari coaches in 20 years – hired Milanic from Sturm Graz on 23 September as a replacement for Dave Hockaday, who was also dismissed after just six games in charge. Cellino, dubbed “the manager eater” in Italy for sacking 36 Cagliari coaches in 20 years, hired Milanic from Sturm Graz on 23 September as a replacement for Dave Hockaday – who was also dismissed after just six games in charge.
Cellino said he decided to act after watching Leeds lose 2-1 at home to Wolves, making it six games without a win for Milanic. Cellino said: “I want to apologise to the supporters, they deserve better results.” The latest exit came soon after Cellino had seen Leeds lose 2-1 at home to Wolves, making it six games without a win for Milanic. The owner instructed the director of football, Nicola Salerno, to deliver the news to Milanic shortly after the Slovenian had defended his position in his post-match press conference.
Neil Redfearn, who stood in as caretaker after Hockaday’s exit, will now take charge again, potentially on a permanent basis. Cellino said: “I want to apologise to the supporters, they deserve better results.” He later told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I made a mistake with this guy. He’s negative, he has a losing mentality.”
Speaking moments after the defeat to Wolves, Milanic said he felt optimistic about being given time to turn the team’s fortunes around. “Results have not been good, but we’ve played good football in these six games.” Neil Redfearn, who stood in as caretaker after Hockaday’s exit, will now take charge again, this time on a permanent basis.
Asked to explain his decision to appoint Milanic last month, Cellino said: “I don’t know why I chose him. Coaches are like watermelons. You only find out about them when you open them up.” Speaking to the press moments after the defeat to Wolves, and before Salerno’s visit, Milanic said he still felt optimistic about turning the team’s fortunes around, despite the owner’s reputation for impatience. “We’ve played good football in these six games. This is not a good position but I see good things and I have belief … This is not the work of one month.”
After making the appointment in September, Cellino was asked what had first drawn him to Milanic. “I don’t know why I chose him,” he said. “Coaches are like watermelons. You only find out about them when you open them up. His particular qualities? He’s good looking, what can I tell you?”
Milanic’s 32-day reign – 12 days fewer than Brian Clough’s notorious 1974 spell in charge at Elland Road – may not bode well for Redfearn, but the life-long Leeds fan does have significant experience. The former midfielder has worked with the club’s academy since 2009 and has now served as caretaker manager on four separate occasions.