Paul Heckingbottom: Leeds United’s Yorkshire Yardstick

Merely days after he extended his contract at Barnsley, Leeds exercised a £500,000 clause in his deal to bring Paul Heckingbottom to Elland Road to replace Thomas Christiansen who had been dismissed.

Compared to his predecessor, Heckingbottom was seen as ‘Championship hardened’, though others including Steve McClaren (who was seen in the stands) and Jaap Stam were considered, while a sensational return for Simon Grayson was also pondered.

His early attempts to move away from their expansive, possession-based 4-2-3-1 to a more pragmatic 4-2-3-1 were a struggle, this showing in his first game; a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Brought in by the board to ‘give the squad a kick up the rear’; his approach was far more vocal than Christiansen’s and he didn’t hold back in public; his brazen Yorkshire demeanour quickly winning the fans over.

Indeed, his blunt assessment in which he cited the players as lacking in “basic standards” and “physicality” resonated with supporters, though with results failing to improve, frustration began to set in.

By the time that he had stabilised everything, the club was languishing in mid-table obscurity; a considerable contrast, having been five points clear at the top briefly under Christiansen.

Some Bold Decisions

Heckingbottom wasn’t shy when it came to handing debuts to younger players, including goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Tom Pearce who showed glimpses of potential in a squad which, by that point appeared mentally drained.

Both these players became key assets for Heckingbottom during his time in charge, helping to contribute to a firmer foundation that started to breed confidence.

Immediately, Heckingbottom demanded a far more disciplined approach from the squad, focusing on being strict out of possession, demanding a more aggressive, high-intensity pressing style. Where Christiansen wanted to control the ball, Heckingbottom wanted to control space and, as a result, focused heavily on the team’s defensive units.

Heckingbottom’s first win came in a 2-1 home victory against a highly technical Brentford side. Leeds were less exciting to watch under the Yorkshireman, but more hardworking and clinical. Sitting deep and soaking up pressure, they scored through a Liam Cooper header and a Ian Poveda-led counter-attack; this game being a display of grit that had previously been missing under Christiansen.

In his quest to fix footballing disciplinary issues, Heckingbottom inadvertently blunted the side’s attack and creative force that had been effective under Christiansen who selected players capable of breaking down a low block, like Samu Saiz. As such, this backfired at times, such as in the 2-1 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday; a game played in snow and highlighted a lack of flair despite having 60 percent of the ball.

His final game in charge at the end of the season was a professional 2-0 home win against QPR, before he took the team on a controversial post-season tour of Myanmar, despite international condemnation of the country’s political situation.

Although he was reassured his job was safe, once it became clear that there was a possibility Leeds could hire Marcelo Bielsa, there was only ever going to be one outcome. Immediately upon his return from Southeast Asia, Heckingbottom was dismissed after just 16 games in charge.