Neil Redfearn yet to be assured of Leeds future

Leeds head coach Neil Redfearn has received no assurances over his future at the club but believes the future is bright at Elland Road.

Redfearn's position was cast in doubt last week when assistant Steve Thompson was effectively sacked.

Banned owner Massimo Cellino, barred by the Football League for having any executive influence at the club and currently in Miami, announced this week that sporting director Nicola Salerno had resigned.

Salerno, who worked with Cellino at Cagliari and was understood to be responsible for suspending Thompson, has since revealed he will decide on his own future next week.

Thompson, who teamed up with Redfearn in December, received a letter confirming he had been suspended last Thursday. His contract expires in the summer and he has been told by the club it will not be renewed.

Redfearn, kept in the dark about the club's decision to oust Thompson, refused to comment on Salerno's position.

"I don't want to start talking about all that," said Redfearn, who confirmed there had been no dialogue between himself and the club this week.

"I've stated that it's important that I finish the season off for the club and the players. I've then got to sit down with the powers that be and discuss it."

When asked about Salerno, Redfearn added: "I haven't seen Nicola since the beginning of last week. I couldn't comment.

"The important thing is the football club because we've done well to get ourselves out of trouble. What we don't want to do is let the season fizzle out after all the effort the players have put in.

"It's important that the club's in a good position at the start of next season."

Redfearn has won plenty of admirers for fronting up at press conferences throughout weeks of confusion, and the former academy boss, a lifelong fan of the club, hinted he wanted to stay in charge.

"I can see things coming together," he added.

"On the pitch and on the training ground, I can see these young lads blending and finding their feet.

"I can see the seniors buying into the philosophy of what we are trying to achieve and I can see the overseas lads integrating.

"I can see that they are finding their feet in the Championship and what's expected.

"And I can see it getting better and better.

"I'm tough enough to deal with being in charge of Leeds United.

"I think that's important and I think people are perhaps seeing that.

"I also know that it's a great club that is just starting to get to its feet and I think perhaps the football world are realising that.

"For the first time in a long time, this club is together on the pitch and in the stands.

"For me, you want to be about it because you want to be involved with something that's going to be successful and I honestly believe that this football club in the next couple of seasons can be really successful."