Thursday, 18th September, 2014
Leeds United caretaker manager Neil Redfearn has revealed that club owner Massimo Cellino is focused on young talents and determined to preside over a thriving youth set-up at Elland Road.
Redfearn, who heads Leeds' academy teams, is currently filling in as senior side boss following the sacking of David Hockaday earlier this season.
The former midfielder has been in regular contact with Cellino, even before he was drafted in to run the senior side. And Redfearn is convinced that the Italian is someone who is keen for Leeds' young players to be given their chance.
"The conversations since [he asked me to look after the senior team] have just been about the game or about training, or about players, or about systems", Redfearn explained at a press conference.
"He's that enthusiastic about his football he goes off on a tangent talking about other things in the game, different players. He's a knowledgeable guy and he's really enthusiastic about what he does", Redfearn continued.
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"I spoke to him two or three times in pre-season about the young players, the academy, and he spoke about how things work in Italy and different ways of doing things.
"He's got an interest there. He's mindful of the young players coming through.
"I think he had a good youth set-up at Cagliari and he brought a lot of young players through, so it's in his thinking."
Redfearn has already begun to trust in young talents to drive Leeds forward on his watch, giving votes of confidence especially to midfield duo Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt.
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