Bates backs manager Blackwell

LEEDS manager Kevin Blackwell has been given promises any manager would love to hear after meeting new chairman Ken Bates for the first time yesterday.

Almost a week after his takeover of the club, Bates finally sat down with Blackwell to discuss Leeds’ future and their respective ambitions.

Bates has offered the 43-year-old his “unequivocal support” and categorically stated he is under no pressure and that there is no timescale to achieve success.

Blackwell has also been told players will only be sold with the manager’s approval, proven this week when approaches were turned down for two players, understood to be Aaron Lennon and Simon Walton.

Bates added: “In the last 10 days there have been an awful lot of applications from out-of-work managers and, of course, the ever-present avaricious agents.

“But I came in here with an open mind as far as Kevin was concerned. After learning of the magnificent job he has done from a standing start in August, the fact he has got 40 points and built a young team - probably too young to win anything but gaining in great experience and showing tremendous potential - I think he has done a marvellous job.

“We had an excellent lunch today and I told him he has my unequivocal support. He outlined what he wanted to do and we agreed we would work closely together to succeed.

“But there’s no timescale because you never make guarantees in football, and if you do then you are eventually proven to be stupid.

“So Kevin will take his time. He is under no pressure, although I don’t think Leeds fans are expecting too much in the immediate future, so we will see how it goes.

“But no players will be sold unless Kevin Blackwell wants to sell them. At the end of the day footballing decisions are his and not mine.”

Given the turmoil Blackwell has experienced since arriving at Elland Road as first-team coach in the summer of 2003, such words will be music to his ears.

Blackwell has watched former managers Peter Reid and Eddie Gray get the sack, has seen an entire squad sold to ease debts following Leeds’ relegation from the Premiership last season, and twice lived through the fear of United going into administration.

However, there remained more questions than answers as Bates refused to talk about finances or confirm whether there was any money for Blackwell to spend on players.

After purchasing 50% of the club last Friday for a reported £10 million, Bates also refused to reveal who owns the other 50% of the club, instead stating it was “a financially-sensitive situation.”

As for the exact nature of Leeds’ debts, the situation remains confusing but, according to Bates, they now stand at under £10 million.

However, inroads are being made, with last Thursday’s £1.2 million payment to the Inland Revenue followed yesterday by a VAT payment of £1.6 million in lieu of the sale of Elland Road last November.

A “substantial payment” has also been made to the club’s ordinary creditors, leaving Bates happy Leeds’ debts are manageable.