Reid had to go, say fans

The chairman of the Leeds Independent Fans Association believes his club had no choice but to change manager tonight in order to avoid relegation.

The Barclaycard Premiership’s bottom club parted company with manager Peter Reid by mutual consent following a dismal run of the results.

Saturday’s 6-1 thrashing at Portsmouth turned out to be the final act for Reid, who took over following Terry Venables’ departure last season.

Fans’ representative Simon Jose told the Press Association “I don’t know whether any decision this club takes any more is the right one. The whole thing is a mess.

“I suppose I feel a bit sorry for Reid – but after 6-1 at Portsmouth I don’t think there was a lot of choice. The players are not motivated, and the tactics are wrong.

“It’s not the right decision – it’s the only decision they could have made. We’re looking at Premiership survival now.

“We have been mauled by Leicester, Everton and now Portsmouth this season - and they really had to change the manager now, because if we’re still bottom by Christmas we’ll be relegated.”

Leeds appear to have lurched from one crisis to another in recent seasons, the decision to part company with Reid coming soon after the announcement of British record annual losses.

The club remain some £80million in debt, and Jose admits the situation has become so bad it is difficult to see the way forward.

He added: “Really whoever comes in is in a no-lose situation, because everyone thinks we’re going to get relegated.

“But whether or not a young manager would fancy it or whether we should get someone hard-nosed in to do a job I don’t know.

“I think personally I’d look abroad. If you look at the more successful managers in the Premiership none of them is English now.

“There’s a different mentality abroad, and it’s maybe time to look at bringing that in.”

Eddie Gray has taken over in a caretaker capacity at the Yorkshire club – and Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters Club, accepts he has a tough job in store.

Fell told Sky Sports News: “We have seen other people come in for a short period and we can only hope this works out all right.

“We wish Eddie luck. He will probably tackle the problem in the same way as Peter, but we hope it goes for him. He will probably need the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon and the luck of the Irish.”

Fell concedes the club’s financial plight could be a huge impediment to their hopes of finding a new manager – but he is sure there will still be interest.

He added: “People wonder who would come, but names do come forward. It’s a difficult situation, and there’s a long year ahead. But these are players with good skills, and I hope whatever manager comes in will do well.”

Reid’s final days in charge were also overshadowed by a row with striker Mark Viduka, but Gray may be able to smooth the situation over.

Fell added: “What fans want from Mark is to get on the pitch and score the goals vital to Leeds’ future. I hope he settles his differences.”