Leeds hunt for manager may be hit by takeover
For the fourth time in two years, Leeds are again scouring the managerial market as Eddie Gray yesterday paid the price for the club's relegation to the Football League with his job.
Since the summer of 2002, Leeds have now dispensed with the services of David O'Leary, Terry Venables, Peter Reid and now Gray, underlining the instability that has riddled the club in recent times.
Chairman Gerald Krasner, who along with ellow directors decided over the weekend not to gamble on Gray for the First Division campaign ahead, has stated there will be no rush into making the latest appointment.
But there is a question mark as to whether Krasner or haulage magnate Steve Parkin will be making the key decision as Parkin is expected to declare an interest in the club.
Parkin is understood to favour Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie who has guided the Eagles to the First Division play-offs.
If Parkin is to have his own man in place, he will need to quickly make his intent known and push through a deal, particularly as the club are now applying the pressure.
Finance director Melvin Helme has warned Parkin to make his move now, or risk missing out on the decisions to be made in the next few weeks that will be pivotal to Leeds' future.
With a number of Leeds' top stars also to be sold once the transfer window re-opens next week, Helme stated: "Over the next two to three weeks there are a lot of decisions which will be taken.
"Nobody seriously interested in taking over would want another party making those decisions."
That will include the managerial appointment, with Gordon Strachan, Paul Jewell, Tony Pulis and Kevin Blackwell all linked with the post.
Blackwell will take charge of Leeds for the final match of the season against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after what he describes as "the most frustrating season of my career".
Almost a year after being appointed head coach initially to Reid Blackwell now knows the inside track at Leeds and it is likely he would ask for certain conditions to be met should he be the man the board turn to mount an immediate return to the top flight.
"I thought things would be kept the same until next week, but the decision has been made so I get on with it.
"All I will do is look after the team for this one game, and hopefully we can go down by restoring some pride, and then I will see what happens.
"But I've had four chairmen and two managers since I've been here. It's been a frustrating year for me."
Gray is to be retained on a consultancy basis for a year, further extending his 40-year association with Leeds, although the role is merely window dressing after his departure as manager.
But Gray, who has been player, manager, youth-team coach, reserve-team coach, assistant-manager and most recently caretaker manager, accepted the club's decision with typical dignity.
"I have said before that the club do not owe me anything and they don't," said Gray.
"I have had a great life with the football club and it's just sad that it has come to this, but that's life."
Gray is now hoping to see the club back in the Premier League as quickly as possible, adding: "I would not agree that it was an impossible task to keep Leeds up.
"It was difficult, but I still enjoyed it and I am sad how it turned out in the end. I just wish the club all the best and hope they bounce back in the future.
"I will continue in a consultancy role for a year and see what happens. At this moment I just wish all the players and all the staff the very best. They deserve to be back in the Premiership."
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