Leeds boss could face short tenure

LEEDS are poised to name their new manager within the next week – but the impending appointment could then quickly find himself out of a job.

Chairman Gerald Krasner and his board have moved swiftly since former caretaker Eddie Gray’s departure nine days ago, drawing up a three-man shortlist.

Kevin Blackwell, who served as head coach to Peter Reid and Gray last season prior to taking charge of the team for the final game of Leeds’ relegation campaign at Chelsea on Saturday, was the first to be interviewed yesterday.

The club look set to conclude the remaining interviews before the weekend, with other names linked to the post including Rotherham’s Ronnie Moore, also believed to be on Burnley’s shortlist as successor to Stan Ternent, Paul Jewell at Wigan, Neil Warnock at Sheffield United, and even Huddersfield’s Peter Jackson.

But there remains the prospect Steve Parkin could take over at Leeds, with the haulage magnate going through the process of due diligence as his accountants and advisors peruse the club’s financial records.

Parkin is understood to have his own thoughts as to who should be Leeds’ next manager, with Iain Dowie long linked, although the former Northern Ireland international striker could soon be out of the running if he gets Crystal Palace promoted to the Premiership.

Should Parkin ultimately take control, it makes the current situation a farce and begs the question as to why anybody would want the job given the instability and uncertainty behind the scenes at present.

Moore, though, would appear to be one such man as he said: “They are a Premier League club with 40,000 fanatical supporters and are known all over the world.

“It is a massive, massive job and for me to be linked with it is pleasing as it proves I’m doing something right.”

“I think if you were in charge at Leeds you would want someone who knows what the First Division is all about.

“That’s probably why my name has been linked with the job.”

As it stands, Blackwell is believed to be favourite as he is the man in situ and has an understanding of the running of the club after spending the last year at Elland Road.

However, he is likely to demand a number of assurances before accepting the post, should it be offered.

Pivotal to Blackwell’s plans is the rebuilding of a squad which this summer will be cut down to the bare bones, with a number of highly-paid players making way to ease debts.

Krasner, meanwhile, believes the club have sent out a defiant message after yesterday rejecting two offers from Manchester United for star striker Alan Smith.

United came in with an initial bid of £3.5million, and then £5.5million after that was turned down, but Leeds issued a stern no on each occasion as they are looking for a fee closer to their £10million valuation of the 23-year-old.Liverpool are poised to enter a potential bidding war, with Krasner stating: “What we hope we have made clear is that we are not going to be forced sellers. We will wait for the right bids and then liaise with the players and their agents.