Hull today relieved manager Phil Brown of his duties and placed him on gardening leave with immediate effect, the Barclays Premier League club have confirmed.

Yorkshire businessman Steve Parkin has revealed he was “within days” of clinching a deal to take over at Elland Road.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew has problems in defence following Calum Davenport’s surprise return to Tottenham.

Sebastien Sainsbury has today been warned he would be making a “big mistake” if he were to offer any of the current Leeds directors a place on the new board.

The Anglo-American consortium bidding to take control of Leeds are poised to conclude a £25m (€35m) deal.

NEW Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has been given a personal apology by director Simon Morris following the farce which almost led to him turning his back on the club.

Kevin Blackwell today became Leeds’ fourth managerial appointment in less than two years.

Steve Parkin’s proposed takeover of Leeds has collapsed – paving the way for the club to finally appoint Kevin Blackwell as manager tomorrow.

Leeds’ woes are continuing as the Elland Road club turned their search for a new manager into a farce and striker Alan Smith closed in on a move to arch-rivals Manchester United.

Rochdale boss Steve Parkin has signed a rolling contract after arriving at Spotland in January and saving the club from relegation.

Leeds have delayed the announcement of their new manager until after the weekend.

MANCHESTER UNITED are prepared to sit and wait for Leeds to crack as the battle hots up to land striker Alan Smith.

Manchester United are prepared to sit and wait for Leeds to crack as the battle hots up to land striker Alan Smith.

Ian Parkes

LEEDS UNITED’S search for yet another new manager could be undermined by the latest takeover wrangle.

Leeds United today confirmed Eddie Gray will no longer be manager of the Elland Road club with immediate effect.

David O’Leary has called on Leeds United to decide who will manage the club next season as a matter of extreme urgency.

The man at the centre of the latest Leeds United takeover speculation remained silent today amid rumours of an improved £30m (€44m) bid.

THE Leeds board is to hold a summit meeting next Tuesday should the club be relegated to the Nationwide League this weekend.

A Leeds supporters’ chief has urged the board to stop treating fans “like a minor annoyance” and be “completely transparent” about the state of the club.

Leeds United’s new owners turned down a takeover offer from Leeds businessman Steve Parkin, according to a statement released through his solicitor.

Leeds boss Eddie Gray believes his side can bounce back from their Highbury mauling and take a giant stride towards Premiership safety at Elland Road tomorrow.

LEEDS chairman Gerald Krasner has admitted the club’s owners would welcome new investment but would not comment on speculation last night that a new takeover bid is imminent.

Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner has admitted the club’s owners would welcome new investment but would not comment on speculation tonight that a new takeover bid is imminent.

West Ham midfielder David Noble has bucked the trend of departures from Wimbledon by heading for the Dons on trial.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has been offered a four-year extension to his current contract which would see him remain as England coach until 2008.

Second Division strugglers Barnsley have sacked Steve Parkin as the managerial merry-go-round continues.

Emile Heskey is set to lead Liverpool’s defence of the FA Cup against Birmingham tomorrow despite a goal drought which is threatening his starting place.

Former Chelsea, QPR and Arsenal star John Hollins has been appointed as the new manager of Third Division Rochdale.