Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino not considering replacements for Steve Evans before end of season

United’s Italian owner plans to wait until the summer to “see how the whole season went” amid suggestions that Evans will be replaced before the start of the 2016-17 term.

Evans, who has a contract until the end of June and was hopeful of securing an extension once Leeds were safe from relegation, is under threat after Leeds’s 4-1 loss to Huddersfield Town at Elland Road last Saturday.

Cellino is believed to be seriously considering hiring a new head coach when this campaign finishes but Leeds have nine Championship games remaining and Evans looks set to remain in charge until after their final fixture at Preston North End on May 7.

Cellino said: “I’m a very sad man with the results this season but sometimes I’m not happy with my wife and I don’t divorce her so I’m certainly not looking to replace Steve Evans at the moment.

“I won’t make any changes until the end of the season. Then I will look at how the whole season went and make a decision. I’m not considering replacements.”

Evans, whose side’s next match is away at Rotherham United a week on Saturday, brushed off speculation about his future yesterday, saying: “I treat stories like that with the contempt they deserve.

“My only focus is on preparing the team for Rotherham.”