Neil Refearn could still be in charge of Leeds United for Saturday’s derby showdown with Huddersfield Town at Elland Road.

But the club’s academy chief, yet to be beaten as caretaker manager, isn’t in the running to get the job long-term.

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino wants Redfearn to remain with the academy, and says he is looking at a candidate from abroad to succeed Dave Hockaday.

Former Barnsley player Redfearn has overseen a 1-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers and a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.

Leeds, who are 19th in the Championship, two places and three points above Town, are away to AFC Bournemouth tomorrow.

Cellino said: “Neil’s very busy with the academy and I need him in that job.

“He’s an outstanding coach, a guy who knows how good teams should play, but it would do too much damage to the academy if he stays as (head) coach.

“He’ll be coach at Bournemouth, 100 per cent, and maybe on Saturday as well.

“But I’ve got ideas about what I’ll do. I’m thinking about a foreign coach, an international coach who I can work with.

“We need to meet and talk but I think he could be good for us.”

Italian entrepreneur Cellino has refused to speak about comments by Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey which seemed to threaten his ownership of the club.

Harvey said the League will attempt to disqualify Cellino and force him to sell his shares if a conviction for tax evasion imposed by an Italian court in March was shown to be dishonest.