Dave Hockaday: Leeds United set to appoint new head coach

Hockaday spent four years as Forest Green manager

Leeds United are set to appoint former Forest Green Rovers boss Dave Hockaday as their new head coach.

BBC Radio Leeds understands the 56-year-old is at Elland Road to finalise a deal that will see him replace Brian McDermott, who left at the end of May.

Hockaday has been out of the game since leaving the Conference Premier side by mutual consent in October 2013.

His first competitive game in charge will be their Championship opener at Millwall on Saturday, 9 August.

Massimo Cellino, the club's Italian owner, has previously stated that he wanted to appoint a coach to work under a director of football.

Following McDermott's departure, former Leeds player and boss Gary McAllister was linked with the role, as was Reading youth-team coach Eamonn Dolan.

McDermott left Elland Road after just over a year in charge

Former Blackpool, Swindon and Hull player Hockaday made his name in coaching at Watford, where he helped to bring through players including Manchester United winger Ashley Young and Algeria international Hameur Bouazza during his time as coach of the under-18 side.

He went on to coach at Southampton before being appointed Forest Green boss in September 2009.

His first season in charge ended in the club being relegated but they were given a reprieve because of Salisbury's financial irregularities.

They stayed up on goal difference in his second campaign before registering successive 10th-placed finishes.

He departed the New Lawn side in October of last year having lost seven of his last eight matches.

Cellino wants Leeds, who have not played in the top flight since relegation in 2004, to be competing for promotion from the Championship in the 2015-16 season.