Wayne Veysey

Mon 5 February 2018 16:17, UK

By Richard Parks
Leeds United are working on a deal to appoint Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager tonight (Monday) – and fans have taken to Twitter to deliver mixed verdicts.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay took to his personal Twitter account this afternoon to report that United have identified the Barnsley manager, 40, as their first choice to take on the vacant role.
Hay claims Leeds top brass are keen to get a deal tied up with Heckingbottom within hours in what would represent a quick turnaround following the dismissal of Thomas Christiansen.

The Denmark-born Spaniard, 44, was dismissed late last night following a wretched run of results in which Leeds had not won since Boxing Day
Former defender Heckingbottom is regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in England after impressing in his three years at Barnsley, steering them to promotion in his first season and a highly creditable 14th place in the Championship in 2016-17. 
The Tykes have not fared as well this season and are 21st in the division, 17 points behind Leeds, but the manager has been forced to continually sell his best players.
Leeds fans are split between those who believe Heckingbottom is an ideal appointment who has “done wonders” on a shoestring budget and others who believe he is unproven and does not have a good enough track record.
Here is a selection of the best messages on Twitter:

Leeds are next in action on Saturday when they play against Sheffield United in a Yorkshire derby at Bramall Lane in a 12.30pm kic-off.
Leeds are 10th in the league, two points and two places behind Sheffield United.
In other Leeds United news, it can be revealed that Heckingbottom has a significant release clause in his Barnsley contract.