Reid takes time over new Leeds positions

LEEDS manager Peter Reid is to bide his time over the appointment of new backroom staff following yesterday’s surprise departures of Eddie Gray and Brian Kidd.

Assistant manager Gray and head coach Kidd have started 12 months’ notice periods as part of their contractual agreement after being told their services are no longer required.

Their exit represents a two-fold decision, primarily as Reid will be bringing in his own personnel, with Adrian Heath, Ian Snodin and Sam Ellis mentioned as possible replacements. With Leeds £78.9million in debt, the club are also cutting costs, which is why no new positions within Elland Road have been found for the highly-respected pair. The moves come with the approval of chairman Professor John McKenzie, with Reid’s right-hand men certain to be paid considerably less than either Gray or Kidd.

But importantly, Reid will not be rushed as he said: “There’s been an awful lot of speculation about who is joining my backroom staff. I intend to take my time over what I see as a vital decision.”

Reid concedes the decision to let Gray and Kidd go were essential for the financial well-being of Leeds as he added: “This is one of the worst aspects of being a manager, but due to the financial situation at the club tough decisions have to be made.

“Nobody can doubt Eddie’s status as a Leeds legend or Brian’s proven track record as a top coach. “I wish them both well in the future but I feel changes have to be made if the club is to progress in the way I want it to.”

Former Leeds star Norman Hunter, who played alongside Gray during the Don Revie era, reckons Reid and Leeds have made a mistake in dispensing with two top coaches.

“I would have thought he (Reid) may have found a role for Eddie given how popular he is at Elland Road, but overall I’m not surprised given the financial state of the club,” said Hunter.

“But whoever he brings in won’t be better coaches because Eddie’s a very good coach and Brian is an England coach, and look at what he also did at Manchester United.”

Gray made 561 appearances during a prestigious 18-year playing career between 1965-83, after he which he managed the club for three years before returning as part of the youth coaching set-up in the mid-1990s.

He then stepped up to reserve-team coach before being appointed assistant to former manager David O’Leary during his reign, and it was widely expected he would take over the temporary reins after Terry Venables’ sacking in March.

Kidd, in contrast, has endured a rough ride at Elland Road after he was promoted to the role of head coach in March 2001 following his initial appointment by O’Leary as academy director. Supporters blamed Kidd, primarily due to his former Old Trafford allegiances, for the club’s demise last season when Leeds slipped from top of the Premiership to an eventual fifth place as they missed out on Champions League football.