Nick Hammond role in Leeds United manager hunt shared as face-to-face interviews scheduled
Leeds United interim football advisor Nick Hammond will not be in charge of the club’s appointment process for a new manager, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The former Reading director has been appointed to his new role at Elland Road in a three-month deal, helping the club with their transfer dealings over the summer while the 49ers look at long-term options. [Phil Hay, 15 June]
The process to appoint Sam Allardyce’s successor is now set to ramp up, with face-to-face interviews scheduled with candidates in the early stages of next week.
“Leeds today confirmed the appointment of interim football advisor Nick Hammond to oversee their transfer window activity but the YEP understands he will not be in charge of the managerial appointment,” Graham Smyth wrote.
“Interviews were held over Zoom this week, with candidates seeking to impress CEO Angus Kinnear and 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe.
“Face-to-face interviews are scheduled for early next week, with an appointment expected to follow by the end of the week.”
Progress
The move to appoint Hammond is a smart piece of thinking by the club as they look to put a long-term structure in place.
Leeds couldn’t go much longer in the summer transfer window without a figure of Hammond within the ranks, with the club currently lacking any direction on who to target over the coming months.
The 55-year-old undertook a similar role at Newcastle United and was instrumental in the signings of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes at St James’ Park. If he can half the success he did during his time with the Magpies, it will be seen as a job well done by the Whites.
This summer is a pivotal window for Leeds if they wish to bounce straight back up to the Premier League, with a whole host of players likely to exit Elland Road and subsequent incomings needed.
Hammond can focus solely on the transfer window now, and the decision to keep him outside the managerial process is another shrewd move by the 49ers.
In other Leeds United news, Newcastle United want to sign one Whites man to help unleash Bruno Guimaraes.