McDermott facing a red-hot opener

New Leeds boss Brian McDermott faces a tough baptism today as his side face a crucial Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday.

McDermott was unveiled as Leeds’ new boss last night. The 52-year-old was dismissed by Reading on March 11 but was not out of the game for long, signing a three-year deal at Elland Road yesterday. He replaces Neil Warnock at the npower Championship club, with the veteran boss having fallen on his sword last week after failing to deliver promotion.

McDermott, who won the division with Reading last year, was approached immediately by Leeds’ owners with the intention of taking over in the summer but, with United not safe from relegation, the former Arsenal midfielder has been brought in now.

Having just been sacked by Reading, taking over a club whose off-the-field situation is not entirely clear — owners GFH are the subject of a takeover bid — would seem a gamble, but McDermott says he has put his faith in those who have employed him.

“I was approached about 10 days ago and the conversation was about coming in the summer,” he said this afternoon.

“But things have escalated, I spoke to Shaun Harvey (chief executive) who wanted to put a manager in place now and that was something I had to think long and hard about for a couple of days, and it feels right. The whole place feels right.”

McDermott will get his first taste of the Elland Road supporters today. He said he will be “right in amongst it” against Sheffield Wednesday in a game Leeds know they need to win if relegation fears are to be allayed.

“The first thing we have to do is look at the game and get a result,” he added.

“I have managed 200 games and have never had an easy one. We have to play with no fear and have an atmosphere. I have been here with Reading and thought to myself ‘we’ll do well to get a result here’.”