Picture Gallery: New Leeds United boss Paul Heckingbottom puts players through their paces at Thorp Arch

NEW MAN IN CHARGE: Paul Heckingbottom at Thorp Arch with his Leeds United squad. Picture: Varleys/LUFC.

Barnsley hit back as Paul Heckingbottom takes charge at Leeds United

Heckingbottom’s switch from Championship rivals Barnsley was confirmed by the club this morning, with the 40-year-old quickly introducing himself to staff and players before heading outside to get a first glimpse of his new charges in wintry conditions.

The new boss’s first game in charge will be a baptism of fire when he takes his team to Bramall Lane on Saturday for a Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United.

THE WAY FORWARD: Paul Heckingbottom takes his first training session at Thorp Arch. Picture: Varleys/LUFC.

Both teams are looking to get themselves back in the play-off picture after slipping away from their promotion rivals in the past few weeks.

Leeds’ campaign has run aground after six league matches without victory and a 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City on Saturday that spelled the end of Thomas Christiansen’s 35-game reign as head coach.

Heckingbottom was appointed swiftly by Leeds, with the club paying £500,000 to release him from a new contract he agreed with Barnsley only last Friday.

LEADING THE WAY: Paul Heckingbottom at Thorp Arch with his Leeds United squad. Picture: Varleys/LUFC.

The former Reds chief is certainly jumping in at the deep end with Leeds also due to play top-six sides in the shape of Bristol City, Derby County and league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers in their next five games after their trip to take on Chris Wilder’s Blades.