Paul Heckingbottom cut an impressive figure during his inaugural press conference as Leeds United head coach.
The 40-year-old was unveiled at the club’s Thorp Arch training ground and signalled his desire to prove a success in the Elland Road hot-seat.
For a club who have been out of the Premier League since 2004 and gone through managers at an alarming rate of knots in recent times, it will be no easy task.
Yet there was a measured approach to Heckingbottom as he spoke about his suitability for the job, the manner in which he jumped ship for Barnsley, and handling the huge expectations at Elland Road.
Heckingbottom only signed a new rolling contract at Oakwell last week but could not resist the lure of succeeding Thomas Christiansen on a 18-month deal until the end of next season.
Heckingbottom, whose work at Barnsley attracted admiring glances from Nottingham Forest and Sunderland earlier this season, begins his reign with a Yorkshire derby at Sheffield United on Sundaylunchtime.
He said: “There has been plenty of speculation and I said all along I didn’t really want to leave Barnsley.
“I had an unbelievable time there, first as a fan, then a player, then a coach and then in charge.
“There were some great times – some tough and emotional times – and I would be a fool if I didn’t learn from those things.
“But this time everything felt right and it’s an honour.
“It’s been a whirlwind few days and one that has got me really excited.
“Today is the first day that has felt like normal as I’ve lots of things to deal with and messages. But I’m really pleased to be here.”
Heckingbottom has emerged as one of the brightest young bosses outside of the top flight in the past couple of seasons.
But he is facing a mountainous task to revive their fortunes after a seven-match winless streak which cost Christiansen his job.
Seven points adrift of the play-offs places, bereft of confidence and wobbling alarmingly with key players suspended, Leeds look anything but promotion aspirants right now.
Yet it is also worth remembering that there are 16 games left and the prospect of a play-off place can certainly not be discounted.
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After taking the reins at Barnsley in 2016, Heckingbottom enjoyed remarkable success with Wembley wins over Oxford and Millwall in the Football League Trophy and League One play-off final respectively.
Heckingbottom admitted: “Getting in the top six is a target – at Barnsley we were 14th and we went up.
“We need to get everyone back and up to speed, but I think we have got some real strengths here.
“What I want to do is what the owners want to do, so it suits me.
“It will be about how I see us playing, how I see us training every day and preparing.
“The bit I enjoy is being out with the players and we’ve had two good days.
“We spoke about our values as team and a group and what we want to do.
“It’s about building a mentality that’s about winning and improving.”
Heckingbottom knows he must harness Leeds' huge support base and ensure it has a galvanising effect.
He added: “When a team is successful everyone is aligned – the owners and the staff, the fans and the club. Everyone has a role to play, the fans being the most important.
“I’ve not had the fans behind me at Elland Road, I’ve only had it the other way.
“We need that connection, so hopefully the fans can respond.”
