Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom has responded to speculation yesterday that Leeds United are looking to replace him at the end of the season, branding it as a 'surprise to everyone' in today's news conference.

He's been in charge at Elland Road a little over two months, but just two wins prompted a report from Football Insider suggesting he could well be sacked before the start of the new season.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Aston Vila game, Heckingbottom admitted he was surprised at the speculation, confirming he expected to be in charge of Leeds beyond the end of the season.

"I've got no reason not to be, everything has carried on as normal," reports the Yorkshire Evening Post. "The speculation surprised everyone at the club. It's business as usual."

Speaking about the role he confirmed that nothing had changed since he arrived in terms of targets.

"Nothing has changed. I came in here February time with the slim hopes of play-offs and chasing that goal, not let that die out quickly. It did die out quickly. We are going to have to work hard but that doesn't mean that we can't do it."

Leeds are currently 14th in the table and face a tricky trip to fourth-placed Aston Villa tomorrow evening.

The Verdict

Speculation is always going to build up whenever a manager is losing games, especially given the nature of the defeats. I'm sure Hecky believes he'll be there next season, but whether he will or not is another question entirely. If pushed, I'd wager he might not see the opening day of next season, certainly not in the Leeds United dugout.