Blackwell takes Elland Road hotseat as director apologises

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.

Blackwell yesterday finally took over at Elland Road, signing a two-year contract 48 hours after his future was thrown into doubt and he was led to consider his position.

The 45-year-old, who steps up from his previous role as head coach to former managers Peter Reid and Eddie Gray, was unanimously voted into office on Friday by the directors, with an announcement to confirm the appointment expected 72 hours later.

Blackwell, however, was left seething on Monday when informed by Morris the deal was to be put on hold amid suggestions the board were still looking at other candidates.

It is now known Morris vetoed the agreement as he was working with potential new owner Steve Parkin on a takeover, with the Brighouse-based haulier and life-long fan favouring Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie.

But Parkin's involvement with Morris ultimately backfired as he lost the support of a number of close allies, including the supporters' groups, but more importantly his major investor pulled out, resulting in the collapse of his proposed buy-out.

It resulted in Morris telephoning Blackwell to again offer him the post, which was eventually accepted but only after a great deal of soul-searching from the coach.

"I was happy to sign, but only after asking to speak to people who had put doubt in my mind," Blackwell said.

"That doubt has now been eased. I've had assurances from all board members, including Simon Morris. It was important I spoke to him.

"He rang first thing on Tuesday and put my mind at rest about a lot of things. When I received another phone call later on, I knew the board were behind me."

The collapse of the Parkin deal has done nothing to solve the financial turmoil at Elland Road and it has been suggested the club will be in administration before Christmas. With Leeds understood to still be around £60 million in debt, Blackwell has to work in a climate which dictates the majority of the current first-team squad be sold if Leeds are to survive.

Striker Alan Smith completed £7 million move to Manchester United yesterday, with Mark Viduka, Danny Mills, Dominic Matteo and James Milner all set to leave as well.

Blackwell has his targets, with Manchester United's Danny Pugh arriving as a makeweight in the Smith deal. Other signings primarily depend on who the former Sheffield United assistant manager can ship out.

"There's been no guarantees on anything other than the club trying to raise the funds to bring in the necessary players to give us a chance in Division One," added Blackwell.

"There are players already here I would like to keep and I will be speaking to, but the finances will dictate what happens."