Leeds rebuilding presses ahead as Parkin takeover looms

Ian Parkes

Leeds finance director Melvin Helme warned the clock is ticking on any potential takeover as key decisions on the club's future need to be taken soon.

Although it is understood Parkin has wealthy backers in his corner, and that he is interested in making a bid, he has so far maintained a low profile.

Until that situation changes the Gerald Krasner-led board, who on Monday made Kevin Blackwell caretaker manager for the final Barclaycard Premiership match at Chelsea on Saturday after removing Eddie Gray from the role, will step up their search for a permanent successor.

"We have got to keep working as if we are going to be in charge," said Lorimer. "If things should change then fair enough. The foundation is there for people if they do take over the club."

Krasner said that a shortlist of candidates for the job has been drawn up and the board's next move would be to evaluate each candidate to narrow the choice down to one.

He said: "Of course it needs to be resolved, but like everything else we will not be pressurised into something that is not the right decision for Leeds United. We have drawn up a list of who we would like and with having been relegated two weeks before the end of season it has given us two extra weeks to get it right."

"These things take time and we are working on this appointment as we speak."

Former Leeds star Gordon Strachan, Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie and Blackwell have emerged as the early favourites to land the job.

While Krasner insists the board will not be rushed into making a decision, Blackwell would clearly prefer a choice was made quickly.

He said: "There are clubs in the First Division now signing players or setting them up to come in. They know their squads but we have to sign in the region of 10 to 12 players, and that's a massive amount of players.

"If we do delay, come the beginning on June most of the good players have been taken and you are only left with what you can do and that is not good enough for Leeds United.

"Things have to be done quickly, they have to make the appointment soon and put the structure into the football club to move it forward."

Meanwhile, supporters chief John Boocock said Leeds fans are delaying their season ticket renewals in the hope Parkin will complete a takeover.

The current Leeds board, who mounted a £22.5m takeover in March, but needed a £15million loan to do so, have seen their attempt to raise £8m by selling 20-year season tickets a flop.

And Leeds Supporters Trust co-chairman Boocock reckons fans are reluctant to renew their season passes now in case they give the current regime breathing space to block a Parkin takeover.

If Parkin completes a takeover this month Leeds fans will be hopeful that money from player sales will be used to buy in the new players needed to give the club every chance of a swift return to the Premiership.

Fans fear that if Parkin's takeover is blocked the money from player sales

would be swallowed up by the current board's debts.