Leeds legend Lorimer says Redfearn can be next Revie

Leeds United legend Peter Lorimer is happy to see Neil Redfearn get his chance at Elland Road.

Lorimer, who scored a club record 238 goals in 703 appearances for United, believes Redfearn can follow in Don Revie’s footsteps.

Lorimer, 65, and now an Elland Road director, told the Sunday Mirror: “I recall Leeds were driving to sign up an experienced manager all those years ago when it occurred to then chairman Harry Reynolds that he already had someone at Elland Road ready and willing to do the job.

“Leeds took a leap of faith with Don Revie back then and the rest is history. It proved to be our golden era. Maybe Neil will prove himself to be an excellent manager in waiting.

“He deserves the chance to show what he can do. And I am sure that, in the meantime, consideration of all the other candidates will continue. It’s not impossible that Neil will secure the job. His chances of doing so will be dependent on results – that is always the case for a caretaker manager.

“But Neil is a very capable coach and there is no reason to rule him out just because he is not a ‘big name’. That is not always the route to go down – look at Steve McClaren at Forest and Sven Goran Eriksson at Leicester.

“We all expected them to achieve big things in a short period of time. But, in both cases, they were out the door without making any ­impression at all.

“I cannot speak for either of those gentlemen, but what you are looking for is a manager with ambition, drive and a will to win, rather than a name.”