Leeds United must suppress a potential new manager bounce when Cardiff City stroll into town on Wednesday night. Mark Hudson almost pulled off an FA Cup shock 10 days ago, conceding a last-gasp equaliser to force a replay at Elland Road.
However, he will not be in the dugout this week after receiving his P45 from the Bluebirds' hierarchy. Cardiff are without a win in nine games across all competitions and pulled the trigger on their manager following a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic.
Similarly to the Leeds clash, a stoppage-time equaliser prevented Hudson’s side from securing the win on home soil - costing him his job in the process. First-team coach Dean Whitehead will take charge of the third-round replay in midweek.
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The former Sunderland and Stoke City midfielder has worked as an assistant at various clubs, including Turkish giants Besiktas, but now gets his chance as the main man. Bookmakers are already making him the second favourite for the job due to the past two managers being in-house appointments.
Astonishingly, ex-Whites boss Neil Warnock is the front runner to make a sensational return. The 74-year-old - who helped Cardiff reach the Premier League in 2018 - announced his retirement from football last year. Warnock's spell at Elland Road did not go as smoothly, with his side finishing 14th in the Championship in 2012, before he was dismissed with his side sitting five points above the drop zone in April 2013.
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