Leeds United: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink keen on vacancy

Hasselbaink spent a season in charge of Belgian second division side Royal Antwerp before leaving in May

Former Leeds United and Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has confirmed his interest in the vacant head coach role at Elland Road.

The 42-year-old has been out of work since leaving Belgian side Royal Antwerp at the end of last season.

Leeds sacked head coach Dave Hockaday after six games at the end of August.

"Leeds is a wonderful big club where I had two great years. If they want to talk to me, of course I would talk to them," said Hasselbaink.

He is the second former Leeds forward to be linked with the role in the last two days after Robbie Fowler reportedly applied for the job on Tuesday.

Fowler, 39, spent 14 months at Elland Road between November 2001 and January 2003.

"I've got experience, I know I could take the club forward and I know I can take the club back to where they need to go," added Hasselbaink.

"But what do Leeds United themselves want? That's the most important question. How do they see things? At the moment there are so many things going on they need to sort out first, or maybe they have already," he told Talksport.

Hasselbaink scored 34 goals in 69 league appearances for the Whites between 1997 and 1999.

Hasselbaink joined Leeds from Portuguese side Boavista in 1997 and spent two seasons at Elland Road.

The former Dutch international went on to play for Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Charlton and Cardiff before coaching at Nottingham Forest and spending a season managing in Belgium.

The club is currently under the caretaker charge of academy boss Neil Redfearn.

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino suggested last week that the former Barnsley midfielder is a genuine contender for the job, having led the team to a 1-0 win over Bolton in his first match.

Redfearn told BBC Radio Leeds earlier this week: "I speak to Massimo and we talk about a lot but not the vacancy.

"He's a knowledgeable guy and he wants to do well for the club and I want to help him."

Leeds, currently 18th in the Championship table, visit Birmingham City on Saturday.