Leeds United chairman Massimo Cellino begins talks with Nigel Adkins?

Leeds United chairman Massimo Cellino has reportedly held talks with Nigel Adkins over replacing Neil Redfearn as head coach.

Redfearn's future at Elland Road is in doubt, with his contract expiring this summer and the club making no official confirmation yet on whether they will keep him at the helm.

The 49-year-old has become a popular figure with Leeds supporters since taking charge in November, having taken them away from the bottom of the Championship table to a safe 15th-place finish.

Adkins has been out of work since being sacked by Reading in December. The 50-year-old has significant Championship pedigree, though, having guided Southampton to promotion from the division in 2012.

Two years earlier he led Scunthorpe United to a 20th-place finish in the second tier after taking the Iron out of League One.

According to The Mirror, Cellino has already spoken to Adkins about taking charge at Leeds.

Redfearn was the third man to manage Leeds last season, following Dave Hockaday and Darko Milanic.