Redfearn gets chance to stake claim for Leeds United job (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Ken Bates reveals Eriksson application for vacant Leeds United job a non-starter

6:57pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Leeds By Sports Desk

Ken Bates has confirmed that caretaker Leeds manager Neil Redfearn will be given at least another three games in charge to prove he is the man for the permanent job.

The United chairman is in no rush to install a permanent successor to Simon Grayson, who was sacked last week, and said he had been inundated with applications for the vacant job – with former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson among them.

Bates said: “I’m happy to say that Neil will be in charge for at least the next three games, so that’s Brighton, Coventry and Doncaster. Those three games are all very winnable.

“After all the maelstrom we’re only two points off the play-offs, so we’ve decided that after Neil’s impressive start – not just with his win (at Bristol City) but his presence around Thorp Arch – he will be given his chance to his demonstrate his abilities while we consider the future.

“We have been inundated with applications, from the cheeky to the outlandish. We’ve had Sven-Goran Eriksson apply – but he won’t be coming.

“We’re in no hurry. There’ll be no hurried appointment because the next one is a big appointment, not necessarily in name but for the future of Leeds United.

“This is a big club with a big fan-base. It’s a one-club city and any manager with ambitions wants to manage a big club.”