Blackwell signs with Yorkshire rivals

SHEFFIELD UNITED assistant boss Kevin Blackwell has quit his post at Bramall Lane to become head coach at Yorkshire rivals Leeds.

Blackwell wasted no time in agreeing to join Leeds boss Peter Reid at Elland Road once he learned the

Barclaycard Premiership club had asked for permission to speak to him earlier in the afternoon.

“It is something I just did not envisage happening so quickly,” a stunned Blackwell said.

“I woke up this morning as assistant to Neil Warnock and now I’ve agreed to become head coach at Leeds. It’s unbelievable.

“I spoke to Peter Reid this afternoon and he wants me to come as head coach. My role will be as his second in command.

“I have agreed everything with them and now it’s up to the clubs to sort out compensation.

Blackwell’s decision leaves Blades boss Warnock with a huge void to fill and quickly follows his side’s agonising play-off final defeat to Wolverhampton.

Former Huddersfield and Plymouth coach Blackwell will end a 16-year working relationship with Warnock which began back in 1986 at Scarborough.