Redfearn throws down gauntlet as queue builds at Elland Road

The 46-year-old enjoyed a dream start to his stint as caretaker manager with a 3-0 victory over nine-man Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

United will step up their search for a permanent successor to Simon Grayson this week after being inundated with applications.

Neil Warnock is among those strongly fancied for the job and his availability should become clearer today due to the former Sheffield United manager being scheduled to sit down with QPR and thrash out the details of his severance package.

Chelsea assistant Roberto Di Matteo, Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark and MK Dons’ Karl Robinson are also among those to have been linked along with Gordon Strachan, Steve Bruce and former Serbia manager Raddy Antic, the latter having submitted his application to the Elland Road board last Thursday

However, it is believed Redfearn, the club’s Under-18s coach, will continue in the role as Leeds prepare to host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

With United then travelling to Coventry City on Valentine’s Day before hosting Doncaster Rovers on February 18, there is every possibility his reign could be extended.

Redfearn, however, insists on looking no further than taking training this morning and beginning the preparations for Saturday. He said: “I have been told just to keep going and keep doing the job until I am told otherwise.

“That is the way I am looking at it. It is indefinite until a decision is made.

“I am not a fool and I know full well that it is a big club and there will be a lot of people interested in the job but I am making sure that I am doing the right things until a time when I am told differently.”

After confirming he would like to still be in charge against Brighton, former Scarborough manager Redfearn added: “I am capable, I am qualified and I am an experienced guy.

“I have been in the game for 30 years and you don’t get too much more experienced than that. I would like to think I have done a good job with the reserves and the youth team. They have been successful and we are getting kids through.

“The club has benefited that way. I have worked hard for the club and I have been an employee for three years.

“I will make it tough for them (Leeds) to rule me out but really I have got no conception of what might happen. I just want to do it from week to week and see how it goes.”

Redfearn was assisted in the dugout at Bristol by Academy goalkeeping coach Andy Leaning and defender Andy O’Brien, a former team-mate of United’s stand-in manager at Bradford City.

It marked a welcome return to the fold for O’Brien, who fell out with Grayson in November and until last Thursday had been forced to train away from the club.

Explaining the decision to have O’Brien, a popular member of the dressing room, on board at Ashton Gate, Redfearn said: “Andy is an experienced guy. I didn’t really want to bring anyone in.

“They asked me if I wanted to bring someone in to help me in the short term and I said I would rather work with what we have got. O’Brien has played at the top level for a long time.

“Paddy Kisnorbo is also an international and we have got Michael Brown and Andy Lonergan. I have leaned on these type of people.

“I know full well that that goes back into the dressing room and they feel a bit of ownership. That is key because once they cross the white line, it is about them performing.”

With speculation likely to rage all week over United’s next permanent manager, MK Dons manager Robinson chose Saturday’s visit to Huddersfield to distance himself.

He said: “It is flattering being linked with Leeds because I look at that club as one of the greatest of my generation.

“I was talking with (former Leeds striker) Alan Smith the other day about how big they are and I remember going there with MK Dons and getting beaten 4-0.

“What a spine-tingling moment that is when you walk out at Elland Road. It is incredible.

“But, I want to stay here as long as I can and get this club where it belongs. It is why I signed a new contract. Leeds are the fifth club (Robinson has been linked with) but I have given my word.”