Leeds United confirmed appointment hailed as BBC pundit backs ‘very successful’ Elland Road arrival of former Newcastle man
Carlton Palmer has backed new Leeds United man Nick Hammond after he was appointed on a short-term basis to oversee the Elland Road transfer window.
The club confirmed his appointment last Thursday (15 June) as an “interim football advisor” having worked in a similar capacity at Newcastle following the takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
BBC pundit Palmer feels the arrival could be an effective one based on the success that the Magpies have had under Eddie Howe after their moves in the transfer market, but questioned how much Hammond, 55, can do before a manager is in place.
Palmer told Football League World: “Nick Hammond’s CV speaks for itself as a director of football. I know Leeds have only secured his services on a short-term basis and his role is solely to help in the recruitment of players, but surely you have to appoint a head coach or manager first.
“The head coach or manager needs to let the director of football know the players or positions he needs to fill and strengthen, the type of players he’s looking for.
“Nick has had a very successful spell in his role recently overseeing the first transfer window at Newcastle United with their new owners and Eddie Howe, which has proven to be a very, very successful one.”
Coming together
The ownership negotiations dragged on past the end of the season and the recruitment process for a new manager is still ongoing, so with Victor Orta’s old job also empty it could have been some weeks before a permanent appointment was made.
In that context it is a solid move to bring in a short-term consultant who has had recent success in similar role at St. James’ Park, even if some fans might feel that just removing Orta is an improvement in itself.
The cash behind Leeds United won’t match Newcastle’s funds, even with the new 49ers regime taking over, but with “double figures” in departures possible [The Athletic, 15 June] and incoming deals also on the cards it is a transfer window that will need all hands on deck.
However, Palmer is right that without a manager in position it risks there being a lack of cohesion, so as interviews continue and further new names crop up the announcement of a Sam Allardyce successor is of greatest importance.
If Angus Kinnear and Paraag Marathe can get someone in imminently then at long last the Whites will have got two of the major questions this summer answered and work can begin on formulating a squad capable of pushing for promotion.
And it the next man in can work well in conjunction with Hammond then it will raise hopes of a successful season in the second tier, but until the name is announced fans will remain on the edge of their seats.
