McAllister: Lee was my first choice

GARY McALLISTER has revealed former Bolton manager Sammy Lee was his first choice to become his assistant at Leeds.

But Lee is currently in a compensation wrangle with the Premier League club and McAllister turned to Steve Staunton, appointed on Monday, instead.

McAllister said: “I did look to bring Sammy Lee in, but he’s still negotiating with Bolton over his contract and that made the situation difficult. I told Sammy that I needed to get someone in straight away and he understood where I was coming from.

“Steve knows that I was going after Sammy initially, and it’s not a case of him being second choice. Steve’s an experienced guy and he fits the bill.”

Meanwhile former Brazil star Romario has announced he will retire as a player and coach at the end of next month.

The 42-year-old had been expected to confirm his retirement as a player, but has also decided to call time on his coaching career, effective from March 30. “After the 30th, I stop. I will not go on even as coach,” Romario said.