Blackwell sacked by Leeds

KEVIN BLACKWELL was sacked as manager of Leeds United yesterday by the Elland Road board of directors after three-and-a-half years at the club.

Blackwell, who succeeded Eddie Gray as manager in June 2004 after spending 12 months as coach, had come under increasing pressure from frustrated fans in recent weeks.

The Yorkshire club’s 1-0 reverse at Coventry over the weekend was their third successive defeat in the Coca-Cola Championship and saw them slump to their lowest ever league position – second from bottom.

Leeds fans first called for Blackwell’s head after the recent home defeat to Wolves and speculation as to his future intensified following subsequent losses to Sunderland and Coventry.

But the timing of his departure will still come as a surprise to many, who felt the pressure had eased slightly on the 47-year-old following last night’s 3-1 Carling Cup win over Barnet.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates has remained silent since the pressure first mounted on Blackwell this season, but has moved quickly in a bid to halt the slide.

Former manager Eddie Gray said; “As a football manager you live and die by your results. It’s unfortunate it’s happened, but that’s the nature of football. Everybody knows that financially in the last couple of seasons things have been difficult for the club.

“I think the chairman Ken Bates has backed the manager very well. If you look at the players that have come to the club since Kevin was manager, he’s signed a lot of players. A lot of players left the club as well, but I think the chairman has backed the manager for the majority of the players he’s wanted.”

Gray does not believe there will be a shortage of applicants to succeed Blackwell, who led Leeds to the play-off final last season.

He continued: “It’s a big football club and it’s a terrific job, but who knows who the chairman will have in mind?”

Dennis Wise has been installed as the favourite to replace Blackwell, Ladbrokes said last night.

The former Chelsea star, currently at top of the table Swindon Town, is 2/1 to take the helm.

Glenn Hoddle is second in the betting at 3/1.