Leeds United manager: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink interested in vacancy

Former striker believes he could take Elland Road club forward

Agency
Wednesday 10 September 2014 10:31 BST
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (GETTY IMAGES)

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Former Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has declared his interest in the vacant managerial position at Elland Road.

The 42-year-old, who represented the Yorkshire club with distinction between 1997-1999, is keen to start a managerial career and would like the chance to take charge of the club he classes as one of the biggest in England.

He told TalkSPORT: "Leeds United is a wonderful big club where I had two great years. If they want to talk to me, of course I would talk [to them].

"I've got experience, I know I could take the club forward and I know I can take the club back to where they need to go.

"But what do Leeds United themselves want? That's the most important question. How do they see things? At the moment there are so many things going on they need to sort out first, or maybe they have already.

"But if they want to talk to me, of course I would be interested. Who doesn't want to manage Leeds United? It's one of the 10 biggest jobs in the country."

Hasselbaink, who has coached in England with Nottingham Forest before, was a key figure in his time at Elland Road and scored 42 goals in 87 games before being sold to Atletico Madrid.

The Championship club are searching for a replacement for Dave Hockaday, who was sacked by owner Massimo Cellino a fortnight ago after just 70 days in charge.

Fellow ex-striker Robbie Fowler has also believed to have applied for the role.

Fowler scored 183 goals in 369 appearances for hometown club Liverpool before completing a £12million move to Leeds in 2001.

The former England international failed to hit the same heights at Elland Road and had a spell at Manchester City before a brief return to Liverpool and short spells at Cardiff and Blackburn.

Fowler moved to Australia in 2009 to extend his playing career with North Queensland Fury before joining Perth Glory in 2011. He reportedly applied for the manager's job at Macclesfield in May.

Leeds academy manager Neil Redfearn has been in temporary charge following Hockaday's departure.

Redfearn steered Leeds to victory over Bolton before the international break and is expected to be in the dugout for Saturday's league clash at Birmingham.

PA

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