Leeds Utd confirm O'Leary sacking

David O’Leary was today sacked by Leeds United.

The club’s plc released a statement which suggested that O’Leary and Leeds had parted company by ‘‘mutual consent’’.

But Leeds communications director David Walker told PA Sport: ‘‘The statement says that David O’Leary has left the company and I can confirm that he was sacked.’’

Ferdinand has been linked with a £35m (€54m) move to Manchester United and O’Leary insisted he should not be sold to the club’s arch rivals to balance the books.

But early suggestions were that O’Leary’s departure was not linked to the Ferdinand furore but was instead based on the club’s playing record under the Irishman.