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Leeds manager Neil Redfearn will be axed by owner Massimo Cellino - because the Italian believes he has turned the fans against him.

Cellino appointed Redfearn as coach last November, making him the Yorkshire club’s third gaffer of the season following the departures of Dave Hockaday and Darko Milanic.

Despite the former Barnsley player’s success in guiding a troubled side to Championship safety, Cellino has snubbed him and not spoken to him since returning from a three-month ban two weeks ago.

Redfearn did not attend the owner’s welcome-home party on Thursday, and Cellino blasted: “He thinks that he’s so strong that he can put me in the s**t because I’m worrying about the fans.

“F*** me, what kind of chairman have you got?

"He tried to play the fans against me to keep his place.

“Do you think that Neil Redfearn loves Leeds more than me?

“Tell me why I am in Leeds, why am I so involved with the club? Why am I putting in a lot of money, killing myself? Because I fell in love with this club. But to love this club is to do something for this club.

(Image: nbpress ltd)

"Neil Redfearn does the (Leeds United fans’) salute. He challenged me. If you are good I can accept the challenge. But not if you are a bad coach.

“He wins two games and he disappears. He loses five games and he comes to me to ask my advice. Then he wins and disappears again.

"He has to respect the chairman. He has to respect the club. He’s like a baby. He’s been badly advised and used by someone. He is not a bad person but he has a weak personality.”

When Redfearn was appointed seven months ago he was led to believe he would return to his role at the youth academy if he failed as the first-team head coach.

But Cellino added: “We already have two coaches for the young players.”

Read More:I cry when Leeds fans abuse me says Massimo Cellino