Redfearn’s task is to ‘buy time’ for Warnock’s Leeds successor

The Academy chief has assumed temporary charge of the Whites for the second time – in the wake of Neil Warnock’s exit on Easter Monday – and will direct operations from the dug-out in United’s match at his former club Charlton Athletic tomorrow.

Redfearn, 47, led United for four matches early in 2012 in the interregnum between the axing of Simon Grayson and appointment of Warnock and endured mixed fortunes, with defeats to Coventry and Brighton sandwiched between wins against Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers.

He insists his sole focus now is steering United, who are just five points above the drop zone after a run of six Championship matches without a victory and three straight losses, away from relegation danger.

Redfearn, who will be assisted by former United defender and Under-18 coach Richard Naylor, said: “It is a role that needs doing and it needs doing responsibly. The league is in a position where we still need points.

“The lads are aware of that and they know what I am about. They know I am not trying to be the (full-time) manager and that I am not going to be the new manager. There is no agenda.

“I never really wanted the job before and I have no designs on taking the job now.

“Ideally, Neil (Warnock) would have seen it through. He has made his decision and that is great for him, but from the club’s point of view there is still business to be taken care of. We have got to be sure it is done properly.

“I am an employee of Leeds United and I am here to help.

“It is one game at a time and I will look after it while they need me to. It buys time for the new guy to come in.

“I am not looking past Saturday. If the new guy is here on Monday morning, then great and if we have got three points and it helps him, fantastic.”

A host of names have been linked with the Leeds job including former Elland Road No 2 and current Brighton & Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet, along with Brian McDermott and Owen Coyle.