Venables set to take over at Leeds

Leeds are set to appoint Terry Venables as their new manager, following Steve McClaren's decision to turn down the job.

The 59-year-old former England coach is expected to be unveiled as the new Elland Road boss on Monday, according to Sky Sports.

Venables was due to take a holiday in the Seychelles this weekend, but is expected to cut the break short if the offer of the job is made.

Middlesbrough boss McClaren had also been among those tipped to take over from David O'Leary.

The Yorkshire outfit targeted Martin O'Neill - but the Celtic manager revealed he intended seeing out the remaining year of his contract with the Scottish champions.

Venables' last managerial role was at Middlesbrough, where he took over as coach under Bryan Robson in December 2000 for six months and steered the Teessiders to safety.

Just four days ago Leeds announced on their official website that the club had not spoken to Venables about the position.

But Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has consistently stated he wanted to have O'Leary's replacement in place within two weeks of the Irishman's dismissal on June 27.

With O'Neill and McClaren now out of the running, he is set to turn to Venables, who has also been in charge at Tottenham, Barcelona, QPR, Portsmouth and Crystal Palace.

Ridsdale has confirmed he knows the identity of the man he wants to take over at Elland Road, adding: "We have identified who we want to bring in."