Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino rules out Neil Redfearn appointment

Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino has ruled out appointing Neil Redfearn as the club's permanent manager.

Refearn is currently in temporary charge of the Championship side following the departure of previous boss David Hockaday.

However, Cellino is eager for the 49-year-old to continue in his official role as academy coach at Elland Road.

"Neil's very busy with the academy and I need him in that job," the Italian told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "He's an outstanding coach, a guy who knows how good teams should play, but it would do too much damage to the academy if he stays as [head] coach.

"I'm thinking about a foreign coach, an international coach who I can work with. We need to meet and talk but I think he could be good for us."

Refearn is expected to remain in charge of Leeds for their trip to Bournemouth in the Championship on Tuesday.