Leeds United: Cellino to Evans - You can stay, but keep quiet about it (Isn't that what he told Hockaday and Rosler?)

STEVE EVANS will remain in his post as Leeds United head coach, owner Massimo Cellino has told the Scot.
Leeds United's head coach Steve Evans.Leeds United's head coach Steve Evans.
Leeds United's head coach Steve Evans.

Intense speculation had surrounded the 53-year-old’s future following Monday night’s abject 4-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Evans declined to speak to the media at the Amex and the suggestion was that he would become the latest casualty of Cellino’s two-year reign.

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However, while the Italian yesterday made a barbed comment about comments made by his head coach about next summer during the build-up to the Albion defeat, the Leeds owner has decided to stick by Evans ahead of Saturday’s visit of Bolton Wanderers.

“The last few weeks he’s been talking too much about his future, his contract, the players,” said Cellino.

“He has to focus (on) the game, he just has to understand at times.

“We are missing four or five players in the squad, we are in emergency and instead of complaining we should just focus and try and play all together, not just complain to the media.”

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Cellino is understood to have left the Amex at half-time, admitting United’s first-half collapse had left him “ashamed”.

Pressed on the future of Evans, who has been in charge at Elland Road for a little over four months, Cellino added: “No, no, it is not a problem.

“We have a little problem because we are in an emergency moment. We have five players out (injured).

“I didn’t speak with him after the game because I think we are both very disappointed and embarrassed.”

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As welcome as Evans will find Cellino’s backing to carry on, a caveat should be added in that similar comments were made to previous bosses only for the Italian to change his mind.

David Hockaday was dismissed four days after receiving a vote of confidence, and former Wigan manager Uwe Rosler lost his job a fortnight after Cellino said he was “the best person for me and the team”.