While Leeds United are preparing to face Tottenham Hotspur in their next Premier League fixture, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is taking the first steps in his new career.
Daniel Farke has overseen a solid start to the Premier League with Leeds, with his team looking sure-footed, having accumulated eight points from their opening six games.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looked similarly assured on his Strictly Come Dancing debut on the night that Bournemouth pinched a point against Leeds as he swapped football for the glitterball.
Perhaps in just shy of three decades, Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Lukas Nmecha will be limbering up for their first dance on the BBC’s flagship show when their football careers have come to an end.
28 years ago this week, Hasselbaink was the one preparing to face Tottenham, and he found success with an unlikely partner that night as Leeds played out a six-goal thriller in George Graham’s final game as manager.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink stars for Leeds United vs Tottenham
George Graham was many things, but he could hardly be described as a glamorous manager during his time with Leeds. However, the end of his time at Leeds would be worthy of any prime-time entertainment.
Leeds travelled to White Hart Lane at the end of September 1998 in what turned out to be Graham’s final game with the club. The action on the field provided the perfect precursor to what was to follow in the aftermath of the fixture.
Graham deployed a typically defensive formation for the game, with a back five, two midfielders and a front three consisting of a young Harry Kewell, Hasselbaink and Clyde Wijnhard.
However, Leeds raced into a lead through Gunnar Halle in the fourth minute before Ramon Vega pulled the home side level 10 minutes later.
Graham’s men soon re-established their lead in the 26th minute as Wijnhard teed up Hasselbaink for a tap-in. Hasselbaink then turned provider for his fellow Dutchman, as Wijnhard scored one of his four goals for the club, and Leeds looked destined for a comfortable victory.
But there was a sting in the tail, as Tottenham scored two late goals through Steffen Iversen and Sol Campbell to pinch a share of the points, with the last goal coming in the 90th minute. Graham walked off with a wry smile at full-time, knowing what was about to come.
George Graham makes a dramatic exit from Leeds
Leeds’ visit to White Hart Lane would prove to be Graham’s final game as Leeds manager, as he resigned to take over as Tottenham coach at the time in controversial circumstances.
Graham still had three years remaining on his contract at Leeds and, according to a Guardian report from the time, Spurs had to pay a significant fee to release him from his deal at Elland Road.
The relationship between Leeds and Spurs would go on to deteriorate further when Graham took Dutch winger Willem Korsten to White Hart Lane, despite him having previously agreed to join Leeds.
However, with both Daniel Farke and Thomas Frank safe in their jobs, it seems unlikely that there will be any repeat of this drama when the two sides meet this weekend.
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