Video: Fans’ view on McDermott running Leeds Utd

LEEDS UNITED hope to confirm former Reading chief Brian McDermott as their new manager today. Click to watch what the fans think.
Brian McDermott.Brian McDermott.
Brian McDermott.

United officials met with the 52-year-old, controversially axed by the Royals on March 11 – after being named Premier League manager of the month in January – in London yesterday, and discussions are thought to have gone well.

McDermott is understood to have agreed details regarding his appointment and was set to head to Yorkshire last night to finalise his deal, which is expected to be announced ahead of tomorrow’s lunch-time derby at Elland Roadwith Sheffield Wednesday.

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Caretaker-boss Neil Redfearn will remain in the dug-out against the Owls with McDermott expected to be in attendance if his appointment has been completed.

Brian McDermott.Brian McDermott.
Brian McDermott.

United board members David Haigh and Salem Patel flew to the UK from the Middle East to help push through the deal.

Speculation rose on Wednesday night when betting on United’s next manager was suspended after a flood of wagers on McDermott being the man to replace Neil Warnock, who left the club 11 days ago.

McDermott is understood to have been initially interviewed last week after featuring prominently on the list of candidates to take over from the 64-year-old. Former Bolton manager Owen Coyle, out of work since being axed by the Trotters in October, was also on United’s short-list, along with Brighton and Hove Albion chief and ex-Whites No 2 Gus Poyet.

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A prohibitive release clause of £2.5m, inserted in Poyet’s deal, which runs until the summer of 2016, precluded any serious hopes of bringing the Uruguayan back to Yorkshire.

United are 17th in the Championship after four successive defeats which have left them too close to the relegation zone for comfort.

A club statement yesterday said: “The process of appointing a permanent replacement for Neil Warnock has progressed significantly this week and when all matters are finalised we will be in a position to make a formal announcement.

“Neil Redfearn will remain as caretaker manager until such time when an appointment is made, and he is being kept informed of the situation by the club’s board.”

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If McDermott – who managed non-league Slough and Woking before joining Reading’s back-room staff in 2000 as a scout – takes over, his No 2 is expected to be Nigel Gibbs, who worked with him at the Madejski Stadium.

McDermott, who took over from Brendan Rodgers following his dismissal in December 2009, led Reading to the Championship title last season when they won 15 of their last 19 matches.

An end-of-season flourish is now needed for an entirely different reason at Elland Road, with United desperate to dispel relegation fears before starting to plan in earnest for next season following another wholly disappointing year.