Leeds United: Leeds and Redfearn set to part company

Redfearn and the club are negotiating a settlement which will end his six-and-a-half year spell as a coach at Elland Road.

The 49-year-old’s departure is still to be finalised but the recent breakdown of his relationship with owner Massimo Cellino will see him move on in the coming days.

Redfearn, who first joined Leeds’ academy staff in 2009, finished last season as head coach but was replaced in that role by Uwe Rosler in May.

The final weeks of his reign were overshadowed by confusion about whether Leeds intended to activate an option to keep him in charge of the first team for the 2015-16 season.

The former Barnsley midfielder, who lost assistant Steve Thompson to an unexplained suspension in April, was left in the dark about his future while Cellino served a Football League disqualification which barred the Italian from running United.

Cellino retook control at Elland Road on May 4, two days after the end of the 2014-15 season, but did not speak with Redfearn prior to Rosler’s appointment as head coach on May 20.

Two days earlier, in a national newspaper interview, Cellino attacked Redfearn, describing him as “a baby” and “weak” and accusing him of attempting to “play the fans against me.”

Cellino is believed to have pushed for a parting of ways in the aftermath of Rosler’s arrival, despite suggestions that Redfearn would remain at the club.

Redfearn’s contract - agreed when he became head coach last November - gave him the right to resume his old job as academy manager this summer.

Speaking on the day of Rosler’s unveiling, executive director Adam Pearson said: “Neil’s been offered the appointment back in charge of the academy and we await his answer.”

Redfearn looked ready to take up that post again, telling the YEP last month: “As far as I’m concerned, on July 1 I’m coming back as academy manager.”

He was not present at Thorp Arch for the start of pre-season training this week, however, and discussions about his exit are on-going.

Redfearn’s long spell at Elland Road has seen him occupy a number of positions, including the role of caretaker manager three times.

He was promoted to the post of academy boss in 2012 and oversaw a productive period in which numerous youth-team players, including Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt, broke into the first team.

Rosler has taken on two coaches since becoming head coach - Rob Kelly and Julian Darby - but Redfearn’s departure could lead to the appointment of a new development squad manager.

Both Leeds and Redfearn declined to comment.