On Sunday it was announced by Leeds United that the club and then head coach Thomas Christiansen had part company after eight months.
With the Whites sitting a little uncomfortably in 10th position and now seven points adrift of the play-off picture, the club have moved quickly to install Christiansen’ replacement. Confirmed today, but rumoured in since early Monday morning, the new man in the Elland Road hotseat is former Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom.
📸 | Paul Heckingbottom signs his #LUFC contract which will run until the summer of 2019 #MOT pic.twitter.com/LUEp6C1itb
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 6, 2018
The ex-Tykes boss gained promotion from League One to the Sky Bet Championship through the play-off system and a Wembley win. His first season in the Championship saw him guide Barnsley to a creditable 14th position in the table.
Talking of firsts, after speaking to the media at Elland Road, Heckingbottom was straight up to a snowy Thorp Arch to take his first training session with his new charges.
🎥 | Paul leads out the team for today’s training session… pic.twitter.com/wgy88B7UVP
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 6, 2018
✅ First #LUFC training session done pic.twitter.com/FGi4AmDFTi
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 6, 2018
Heckingbottom’s presence at Thorp Arch, and him taking control of his first Leeds United training session gave fans something to comment about on Twitter.
By Heck – Leeds United fans comment on new boss’ first training session
Now we’ve gorra propa Bri’ish manager, gerrin em owt in’t snow instead’a poncin around in’t sunneh Spain. Ian ‘arte were right about all tha bloody Spanish, Brexit means Hexit this’ll be grand
— Sophie Levin (@sophielevin11) February 6, 2018
This is exactly what they need a manager to get in there get some discipline back in the team. Whether he is the right man or not give him a chance, judge him by performances starting on Saturday at 12:30 #lufc
— James Rodgers (@James_Rodgers1) February 6, 2018
Love it 😍
— Paul Wilson (@UpThePeacocks) February 6, 2018
Shouting out orders after a few hours. Liked TC but he would never be like that, some of them players are gonna get a massive shock working under PH coz he won’t take any soft shite. #MOT
— James (@James_H_3) February 6, 2018
I know he’s Barnsley at heart but hearing a Yorkshireman call the shots on the training field is music to my ears!
— Katrina Kelly (@mskelly1990) February 6, 2018
Exxxcellent he sounds very bossy. Shout the boots off em from the touchline 😊
— Prince of Leodis (@RavReehal) February 6, 2018
Sounds like he has authority and is very clear on his instructions… perfect style.. get the lads listening and get the respect ✊🏻.. top work on day one no messing about
— Tom Button (@TomButtonmoon) February 6, 2018
Everything else aside…. It’s great hearing a Yorkshire man dishing it out on the training ground.
— Steve Austin (@Steve_Austin33) February 6, 2018
