Redfearn handed dual Leeds role

Redfearn has worked on the backroom staff in both of McDermott’s two games as manager and the academy coach is to retain first-team duties on a long-term basis under the partnership of McDermott and assistant boss Nigel Gibbs.

Gibbs, who previously operated as assistant to McDermott at Reading, followed the 52-year-old to Elland Road last week but further additions to United’s coaching team appear unlikely after Redfearn’s promotion.

The former Barnsley midfielder has run United’s academy for the past 12 months and overseen the implementation of the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), and having stepped in as caretaker manager following the sacking of Neil Warnock this month, he was expected to revert to his previous role following McDermott’s arrival.

But the new Leeds boss last night revealed that Redfearn’s appointment as first-team coach would be a permanent arrangement and said the 47-year-old’s continuing involvement with the development squad at Thorp Arch would provide a conduit between United’s raft of under-21s and their senior squad.

Former club captain Richard Naylor will continue in his job as Under-18s coach.

McDermott said: “We’ve spoken about Neil being first-team coach with Nigel as my assistant manager but Neil will do the Under-21s as well. I think it’s a really good combination.

“Neil will keep his eye on the Under-21s and try to get the younger lads through into our first team. He’ll see what we need and I’m pretty sure it’ll work. I watched the Under-18s (against Sheffield Wednesday yesterday) and I’m thinking we’ve got some players here. So Neil will carry on coaching the youngsters but day-to-day he’ll be with me. It’s a good mix.”

McDermott and Redfearn worked together previously on a UEFA Pro Licence course and United’s manager has spoken highly of the coaching team at Thorp Arch since signing a three-year contract last Friday.

“I don’t know all of the staff especially well but I know they’re good people,” he said. “You can sense that. There’s a really good feeling around the place.

“I’ve known Nigel a long time so it was important that I brought him with me but apart from that, the staff are in a good place. I like working with new people.”

McDermott had an extensive backroom team at Reading, though Greek coach Yannis Anastasiou was the only employee to follow him and Gibbs out of the Madejski Stadium after McDermott’s sacking on March 12.

Speaking on the day of his appointment last week, McDermott said: “Nigel’s come with me but there’ll be no-one else joining at this stage. We’ve got good staff here already.”

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