Vultures circle over Venables

Leeds manager Terry Venables has today been sifting through the wreckage of another defeat which has resulted in candidates already being proposed as his successor.

After five consecutive Elland Road defeats in the Barclaycard Premiership, culminating in a 2-1 loss to unfashionable Charlton yesterday, the vultures are circling over Venables.

The 59-year-old is currently 2-1 second favourite, behind West Ham’s Glenn Roeder, to become the next top-flight boss to get the sack after the axe first swung on Peter Reid at Sunderland in October.

Although Venables will definitely be in charge for this Saturday’s must-win game at Fulham, the likes of Mick McCarthy, Micky Adams and Paul Hart have all been mentioned as potential replacements should he bite the bullet after just five months at Leeds.

Current Nottingham Forest boss Hart, a former Leeds player and who was instrumental in nurturing the likes of Harry Kewell and Jonathan Woodgate under former boss Howard Wilkinson during his time as youth team coach, would be a favourite with Whites fans.

Hart has hardly quashed speculation linking him with the post. But he has spoken up for Venables, who he feels should get a fair crack of the whip.

“I feel that Terry Venables should be given a chance because he is a very good coach and a very good manager.” said Hart, who currently has Forest up to third in Division One.

“Football is a fickle business – you’ve always got to keep one eye open. But we’re doing pretty well. I’m at a very good club that is making good progress.

“I think it’s a case of what will be will be. I’m not a multi-millionaire. I’m not able to retire; I’ve got to keep working,”

Venables’ problems mounted yesterday courtesy of Charlton’s injury-time winner from Scott Parker which left Leeds in 16th, their lowest league position for nine years, and just three points off the relegation zone.

Injuries, behind-the-scenes feuds, player fall-outs and former heroes threatening to sue have added to the woes of Venables who has made it clear he will not quit.

“It has been difficult,” he said in the club programme.

“Whenever you try pointing out some of the reasons things are not happening the way you want, there is a danger it sounds like excuses – and I don’t like making excuses.

“But a lot of things have conspired against us this season and made the job much harder than it might have been.

“There are times, like when Nick Barmby picked up an injury in the warm-up at Spurs, when you can’t believe what is happening.

“I think most managers would reckon they have a bad injury situation if three or four first-team regulars are out.

“With the injury list we’ve picked up, I think someone here has run over a series of black cats.

“It’s been particularly difficult because so many of the injuries have been in defence where it’s even more important to have a settled unit.

“Dom (Matteo) and Woody [Woodgate], my first choice pairing at the centre of defence, have played together only five times so far – and interestingly enough we have won only four of those games.

“But the biggest single problem we have faced is the introduction of the transfer window which has meant we have not been able to bring any players in to plug some of the gaps.”

Venables’ cause is not aided when he has two of his biggest stars, Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka, becoming embroiled in a public war of words.

Viduka launched a shock attack against Australian compatriot Kewell at the weekend, claiming barely a word had been exchanged between the duo since the striker’s arrival at Elland Road more than two years ago.

Viduka also undermined Kewell’s bid to become captain of Australia for the friendly with England at Upton Park in February, stating the winger’s agent Bernie Mandic had been trying to influence the thoughts of coach Frank Farina.

But Kewell retorted: “I have never had a problem with Mark and have no idea what he’s trying to achieve with his comments, which I’m sure will disappoint fans of Leeds and Australia alike.

“I’ve always believed that a player’s boots should do the talking. Nothing has changed.”

Mandic, who used to represent Viduka until a disagreement over the 27-year-old’s transfer from Croatia Zagreb to Celtic in 1999, is also saddened by what the player has said.

“It’s unfortunate that Mark has decided to concentrate his energy and talent on things other than fulfilling his full potential,” said Mandic.

Viduka is still struggling with a foot injury and remains a doubt for the match at Loftus Road where Lee Bowyer should play, because an ankle injury is not as bad as first feared.