Leeds United head coach David Hockaday yesterday defended his relationship with owner Massimo Cellino, in the midst of newspaper allegations concerning a rift between the pair.

The former Forest Green boss moved to quash rumours of unrest, saying in the Yorkshire Evening Post that Cellino was just “passionate” and claimed negative media reports criticising their relationship were only having "a bit of fun at Leeds' expense."

Hockaday has been seemingly undermined by Cellino, who labelled him in the Daily Mail as "like a baby in a toy shop" when it came to identifying transfer targets.

The Italian businessman also said in the Daily Telegraph that the 56-year-old needed "babysitting", which could harm relations between the pair if proved true.

The Leeds United head coach said he was aware of the quotes but had not read the articles himself. It is the last thing he would have wanted just a day before the new Championship campaign.

Hockaday told reporters via the Evening Post: "The relationship’s fine. I know there’s been a little bit of conjecture but we get on fine.

"I talk to the president every day. I did yesterday, I will today and then again tomorrow. We talk football, the squad and how we are looking. We talk about anything and everything. We get on fine.

"Don’t believe everything you read or hear on the grapevine. I’m head coach, I’m delighted to be here and I get on really well with the president and director of football (Nicola Salerno). People might be putting two and two together to get five.

"I genuinely haven’t read the article and all I know is what I know."

Leeds United start their second tier season with a trip to Millwall this afternoon.

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